Grand Junction Regional to Des Moines International GJT → DSM
695 nautical miles (799 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 073°, about 064° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 69-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:39 am CDT (14:39 UTC). Right now GJT is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24; DSM is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 8 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the first 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the first 238 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 109 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 198 to 208 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the last 308 nm of the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from GJT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 22,000 ft, 39 nm south, 2:14 am MDT (08:14 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 129 nm along the route, 39 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216059/TM 0814/FL220/TP B38M/TB NEG/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 59 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 08:14 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B763 at 23,000 ft, 11 nm north, 4:26 am MDT (10:26 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 149 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN278037/TM 1026/FL230/TP B763/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 37 nm west (278°) of DEN
- Time
- 10:26 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- B737 descending, 9 nm south, 2:10 am MDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. 189 nm along the route, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 6 forecast points nearest it (GJT, DEN, GLD, GRI, OMA, DSM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 240° at 35 kt | −34 kt | 23 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 31 min | 10:29 am CDT (15:29 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | −26 kt | 14 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 46 min | 10:44 am CDT (15:44 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | −23 kt | 11 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 52 min | 10:50 am CDT (15:50 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −23 kt | 6 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 52 min | 10:50 am CDT (15:50 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | −26 kt | 2 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 46 min | 10:44 am CDT (15:44 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | −30 kt | -3 °C | 150 kt | 4 h 38 min | 10:36 am CDT (15:36 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 38 kt | −34 kt | -8 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 31 min | 10:29 am CDT (15:29 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 39 kt | −35 kt | -9 °C | 155 kt | 4 h 29 min | 10:27 am CDT (15:27 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 46 kt | −43 kt | -21 °C | 163 kt | 4 h 16 min | 10:14 am CDT (15:14 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 60 kt | −59 kt | -31 °C | 179 kt | 3 h 53 min | 9:51 am CDT (14:51 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 69 kt | −69 kt | -36 °C | 189 kt | 3 h 41 min | 9:39 am CDT (14:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 66 kt | −66 kt | -47 °C | 186 kt | 3 h 44 min | 9:42 am CDT (14:42 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 99 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| GLD | used from 248 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 260/37 | 260/25 14° | 250/27 8° | 230/36 -8° | 230/49 -21° | 250/71 -30° | 260/82 -36° | 250/73 -48° | |
| GRI | used from 397 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 230/39 23° | 230/32 15° | 210/29 7° | 230/31 -8° | 230/43 -21° | 250/52 -31° | 260/59 -35° | 260/59 -46° | |
| OMA | used from 546 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| DSM | used from 645 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,500 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 4,861 ft | 4:53 am MDT (10:53 UTC) |
| GWS Glenwood Springs, CO | 60 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | no report just now | 5,921 ft | ||||
| EGE Eagle, CO | 79 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west (280°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 169 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| AKO Akron, CO | 258 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,716 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| IML Imperial, NE | 327 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,276 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| CZD Cozad, NE | 407 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 2,503 ft | ||||
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 486 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| LNK Lincoln, NE | 546 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| OMA Omaha, NE | 595 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 984 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| AIO Atlantic, IA | 635 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,164 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| DSM Des Moines, IA | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet, a broken layer at 19,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 957 ft | 5:54 am CDT (10:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:39 am CDT (14:39 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DSM
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for GJT, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 19 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at DSM 6:38 pm CDT (23:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Grand Junction Regional, Des Moines International.