Grand Junction Regional to Rapid City Regional GJT → RAP
384 nautical miles (442 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 038°, about 029° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 14 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 52-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:48 am MDT (07:48 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now GJT is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15; RAP is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 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 8C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 12:55 am MDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 286 to 355 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8C VALID UNTIL 0655Z NE SD WY FROM 50WNW RAP-20SSW RAP-60NW BFF-40ENE DDY-50WNW RAP DMSHG AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- 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 355 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the first 355 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 305 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 138 nm of the route.
- 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 last 39 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
- urgent B737 at 7,600 ft, 4 nm north, 9:22 pm MDT (03:22 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final. 98 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UUA /OV HDN/TM 0322/FL076/TP B737/RM LLWS 45 KTS CROSSWIND ON FINAL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through HDN
- Where
- over HDN
- Time
- 03:22 UTC
- Height
- at 7,600 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final
- UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 22 nm southeast, 9:11 pm MDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 20 nm along the route, 22 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2479 3910N 10753W 0311 F360 231/049KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 15 nm southeast, 9:28 pm MDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 39 nm along the route, 15 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIL
- Where
- over RIL
- Time
- 03:28 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Temperature
- −3 °C
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-11
- CL35 at 41,000 ft, 42 nm southeast, 8:40 pm MDT (02:40 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05. 98 nm along the route, 42 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV RLG/TM 0240/FL410/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-50FT +/-15KT ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- over RLG
- Time
- 02:40 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05
- B38M at 21,500 ft, 48 nm southeast, 10:33 pm MDT (04:33 UTC): light turbulence up to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13. 148 nm along the route, 48 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN305065/TM 0433/FL215/TP B38M/TB LGT BLO 250/RM DURD FLATI STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 65 nm northwest (305°) of DEN
- Time
- 04:33 UTC
- Height
- at 21,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light below 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 5 forecast points nearest it (GJT, RKS, DEN, BFF, RAP). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 33 kt | −31 kt | 10 °C | 151 kt | 2 h 33 min | 2:07 am MDT (08:07 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 36 kt | −36 kt | 11 °C | 156 kt | 2 h 28 min | 2:02 am MDT (08:02 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | 6 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 26 min | 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | 1 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 26 min | 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -4 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 26 min | 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -9 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 26 min | 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -10 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 26 min | 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 46 kt | −46 kt | -22 °C | 166 kt | 2 h 19 min | 1:53 am MDT (07:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 47 kt | −47 kt | -31 °C | 167 kt | 2 h 18 min | 1:52 am MDT (07:52 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 54 kt | −52 kt | -35 °C | 172 kt | 2 h 14 min | 1:48 am MDT (07:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 54 kt | −52 kt | -45 °C | 172 kt | 2 h 14 min | 1:48 am MDT (07:48 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 | 210/43 7° | 230/45 1° | 220/49 -12° | 220/62 -22° | 220/59 -28° | 230/60 -33° | 220/55 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 98 nm out; 112 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 148 nm out; 113 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| BFF | used from 197 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| RAP | used from 295 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° |
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: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 10:53 pm MDT (04:53 UTC) |
| RIL Rifle, CO | 39 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| EEO Meeker, CO | 59 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 12 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 6,415 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 98 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 6,606 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| LAR Laramie, WY | 187 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 16 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,283 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 256 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-southeast (110°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 4,401 ft | 05:13 UTC |
| LSK Lusk, WY | 286 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 4,966 ft | ||||
| CUT Custer, SD | 355 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: nearby thunderstorms | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,619 ft | 05:23 UTC |
| RAP Rapid City, SD | destination | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots | 6 mi | 700 ft | 3,203 ft | 10:52 pm MDT (04:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,283 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RAP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:48 am MDT (07:48 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet low IFR
At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,000 feet (thunderheads) marginal VFR
The whole forecast for RAP
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 8 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
The forecast for GJT, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 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 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
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 6:40 pm MDT (00:40 UTC), at RAP 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm MDT (00:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RAP is before sunrise there (7:02 am MDT (13:02 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, Rapid City Regional.