George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional IAH → GUC
770 nautical miles (886 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 315°, about 312° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 12-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:40 am MDT (11:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now IAH is VFR, wind calm; GUC is VFR, wind calm. 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: 241 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 7C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 1:55 am CDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 520 to 740 nm out.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120455 MKCC WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7C VALID UNTIL 0655Z TX OK CO NM FROM 40NNW PUB-70WSW LBL-40NE CME-40ESE RSK-30ENE HBU-40NNW PUB AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 540 to 550 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 210 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 600 to 700 nm out.
- 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 last 120 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 60 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 IAH.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 41 nm north, 11:30 pm CDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. At the destination end, 41 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ASE
- Where
- over ASE
- Time
- 04:30 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
- B733 at 20,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 20,000 ft, clear from 20,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-12. At the destination end, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU/TM 0316/FL200/TP B733/SK SKC/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 200/RM DURC ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over HBU
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B733
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 20,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-12
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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (CLL, DAL, ABI, SPS, LBB, AMA, TCC, ALS). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 200° at 31 kt | −12 kt | 17 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 50 min | 5:40 am MDT (11:40 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 200° at 29 kt | −10 kt | 17 °C | 130 kt | 5 h 55 min | 5:45 am MDT (11:45 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −2 kt | 15 °C | 122 kt | 6 h 19 min | 6:09 am MDT (12:09 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +3 kt | 9 °C | 117 kt | 6 h 35 min | 6:25 am MDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +6 kt | 6 °C | 114 kt | 6 h 45 min | 6:35 am MDT (12:35 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +4 kt | 2 °C | 116 kt | 6 h 38 min | 6:28 am MDT (12:28 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +3 kt | -3 °C | 117 kt | 6 h 35 min | 6:25 am MDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 28 kt | +2 kt | -6 °C | 118 kt | 6 h 32 min | 6:22 am MDT (12:22 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 36 kt | +10 kt | -17 °C | 110 kt | 7 h | 6:50 am MDT (12:50 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 52 kt | +24 kt | -28 °C | 96 kt | 8 h 01 min | 7:51 am MDT (13:51 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 47 kt | +26 kt | -37 °C | 94 kt | 8 h 11 min | 8:01 am MDT (14:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 39 kt | +27 kt | -49 °C | 93 kt | 8 h 17 min | 8:07 am MDT (14:07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLL | used from 0 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 170/22 | 170/26 18° | 200/15 14° | 240/13 8° | 240/15 -5° | 260/17 -13° | 290/27 -29° | 290/22 -40° | 320/30 -51° |
| DAL | used from 150 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 190/29 | 220/23 17° | 220/17 13° | 250/18 8° | 230/18 -5° | 240/18 -15° | 270/34 -29° | 280/33 -39° | 300/36 -51° |
| ABI | used from 200 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 200/31 17° | 210/21 15° | 240/15 9° | 250/14 -4° | 250/24 -14° | 250/36 -28° | 270/35 -38° | 290/41 -50° | |
| SPS | used from 300 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
| LBB | used from 350 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 200/36 18° | 220/19 15° | 240/20 8° | 230/24 -4° | 240/37 -16° | 250/57 -28° | 250/51 -38° | 270/47 -50° | |
| AMA | used from 400 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 210/38 | 230/29 14° | 240/29 7° | 220/27 -5° | 240/37 -18° | 240/66 -28° | 250/59 -37° | 260/47 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 500 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 210/42 | 230/33 14° | 230/32 6° | 220/35 -6° | 230/49 -19° | 240/72 -27° | 250/62 -36° | 250/52 -48° | |
| ALS | used from 600 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAH Houston, TX | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 20,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 95 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
| CLL College Station, TX | 60 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 320 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| ACT Waco, TX | 140 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 516 ft | 04:51 UTC |
| SEP Stephenville, TX | 200 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,321 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| BKD Breckenridge, TX | 250 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | none | 1,284 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| CDS Childress, TX | 370 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 1,953 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| AMA Amarillo, TX | 450 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 18 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 3,606 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| DHT Dalhart, TX | 510 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,991 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| RTN Raton, NM | 610 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,352 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| TAD Trinidad, CO | 630 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,761 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| MVI Monte Vista, CO | 700 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 7,611 ft | ||||
| GUC Gunnison, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 7,679 ft | 10:56 pm MDT (04:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,679 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GUC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:40 am MDT (11:40 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for GUC
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 13,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
The forecast for IAH, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): light rain showers
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/0543 MCGREGOR, TX 14 nm from the route, 140 nm along the route · security · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at IAH 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC), at GUC 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GUC is before sunrise there (7:13 am MDT (13:13 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: George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport, Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional.
