Grand Junction Regional to Missoula Montana Airport GJT → MSO
528 nautical miles (607 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 334°, about 325° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 3 h 28 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 32-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:10 pm MDT (18:10 UTC). Right now GJT is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots; MSO is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 3 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: 2 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
- SIGMET W27W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the west at 45 knots, until 9:55 am MDT (15:55 UTC). Over the route from 209 to 249 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 121355 MKCW WST 121355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 27W VALID UNTIL 1555Z WY UT ID FROM 40E PIH-20NW BPI-50E SLC-20SW SLC-40E PIH DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 26045KT. TOPS TO FL270.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 398 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 100 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 219 to 478 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 109 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 10 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
- C25B at 11,000 ft, 1 nm southeast, 8:13 am MDT (14:13 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the destination end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV MSO/TM 1413/FL110/TP C25B/SK TOP 110
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over MSO
- Time
- 14:13 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Sky
- top 11,000 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 5 forecast points nearest it (GJT, RKS, PIH, DLN, GPI). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 190° at 10 kt | −8 kt | 0 °C | 128 kt | 4 h 08 min | 12:50 pm MDT (18:50 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 190° at 15 kt | −12 kt | -2 °C | 132 kt | 4 h | 12:42 pm MDT (18:42 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 200° at 21 kt | −15 kt | -5 °C | 135 kt | 3 h 55 min | 12:37 pm MDT (18:37 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 200° at 27 kt | −17 kt | -9 °C | 137 kt | 3 h 51 min | 12:33 pm MDT (18:33 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | −19 kt | -13 °C | 139 kt | 3 h 48 min | 12:30 pm MDT (18:30 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 37 kt | −21 kt | -16 °C | 141 kt | 3 h 45 min | 12:27 pm MDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 51 kt | −31 kt | -27 °C | 151 kt | 3 h 30 min | 12:12 pm MDT (18:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 67 kt | −32 kt | -32 °C | 152 kt | 3 h 28 min | 12:10 pm MDT (18:10 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 64 kt | −28 kt | -37 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 34 min | 12:16 pm MDT (18:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 58 kt | −25 kt | -43 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 38 min | 12:20 pm MDT (18:20 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 | 190/30 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/50 -13° | 220/69 -22° | 220/81 -30° | 230/84 -39° | 230/88 -47° | ||
| RKS | used from 100 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 210/15 | 220/17 -1° | 220/32 -14° | 220/69 -25° | 220/70 -30° | 220/70 -39° | 220/56 -44° | ||
| PIH | used from 199 nm out; 87 nm from the line | L/V | 180/8 -1° | 190/21 -6° | 210/56 -18° | 190/64 -28° | 210/68 -31° | 210/60 -36° | 210/54 -42° | |
| DLN | used from 348 nm out; 37 nm from the line | L/V -3° | 170/16 -6° | 180/21 -18° | 190/27 -30° | 210/63 -33° | 210/62 -36° | 210/51 -42° | ||
| GPI | used from 498 nm out; 98 nm from the line | L/V -3° | L/V -4° | L/V -6° | 210/19 -17° | 220/26 -32° | 190/23 -40° | 220/25 -39° | 220/34 -42° |
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 11,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 7:53 am MDT (13:53 UTC) |
| VEL Vernal, UT | 90 nm out, 6 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,700 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,274 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| EMM Kemmerer, WY | 189 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,288 ft | 14:35 UTC |
| AFO Afton, WY | 239 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, overcast at 4,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the southeast (140°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 6,220 ft | 14:35 UTC |
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | 309 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots | 6 mi | 800 ft | 4,743 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| RXE Rexburg, ID | 319 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots | 4 mi | 1,100 ft | 4,862 ft | 14:39 UTC |
| DLN Dillon, MT | 408 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 5,244 ft | 14:16 UTC |
| HRF Hamilton, MT | 498 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,500 feet Weather: unknown precipitation | calm | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 3,635 ft | 14:35 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | destination | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,500 ft | 3,205 ft | 7:53 am MDT (13:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,288 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MSO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:10 pm MDT (18:10 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MSO
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east at 2 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 10,000 feet
The forecast for GJT, the departure
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 17 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 18 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet and more above
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Tue 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8927 Kalispell, MT, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 498 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZSE
- 6/8923 Kalispell, MT, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 498 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLC
Daylight
Sunset at GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at MSO 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:23 pm MDT (01:23 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, Missoula Montana Airport.