Idaho Falls Regional to Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal IDA → SPS
853 nautical miles (982 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 128°, about 116° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 25-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:40 am CDT (06:40 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now IDA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 13 knots; SPS is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 15 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: 3 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 W71W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, 60 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 71W VALID UNTIL 0155Z WY UT ID FROM 40S DBS-40WNW BPI-30WSW MTU-30SSW DTA-30SE TWF-40S DBS AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 20040KT. TOPS TO FL270.
- SIGMET W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 119 to 218 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W VALID UNTIL 0155Z MT WY FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- 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 first 50 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 159 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 446 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 347 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 486 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 route from 40 to 317 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 188 to 238 nm out.
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 IDA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 28 nm northeast, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. 397 nm along the route, 28 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 21:49 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 5 nm southwest, 4:35 pm MDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 278 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE/TM 2235/FL330/TP A21N/TB MOD/RM MTN WAVE +25-30KTS
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- over CHE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- mountain wave +25-30KTS
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 13 nm northeast, 5:58 pm MDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 317 nm along the route, 13 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR069073/TM 2358/FL320/TP B39M/TB OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM MOD MTW +/-30KT ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 73 nm east (069°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:58 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 42 nm southwest, 5:48 pm MDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 337 nm along the route, 42 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C700 at 16,000 ft, 30 nm southwest, 3:55 pm MDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence. 337 nm along the route, 30 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV WERNR/TM 2155/FL160/TP C700/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- wernr
- Time
- 21:55 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C700
- Turbulence
- moderate
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 16 nm northeast, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 417 nm along the route, 16 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 6 nm west, 4:02 pm MDT (22:02 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41. 427 nm along the route, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK262015/TM 2202/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB MOD CHOP/RM DURC FROM KDEN 120-190 ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm west (262°) of BRK
- Time
- 22:02 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- during the climb from KDEN from 12,000 ft to 19,000 ft ZDVWC-41
- PC12 at 15,000 ft, 17 nm northeast, 5:47 pm MDT (23:47 UTC): light rime icing above 15,000 ft. 40 nm along the route, 17 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC200025/TM 2347/FL150/TP PC12/IC LGT RIME 150 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 25 nm south (200°) of JAC
- Time
- 23:47 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Icing
- light rime at 15,000 ft zlc
- A320 at 6,800 ft, 41 nm northeast, 4:08 pm MDT (22:08 UTC): scattered clouds above 6,800 ft; overcast above 8,000 ft. 40 nm along the route, 41 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC/TM 2208/FL068/TP A320/SK SCT068 OVC080
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- over JAC
- Time
- 22:08 UTC
- Height
- at 6,800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- SCT068 OVC080
- CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 20 nm northeast, 5:03 pm MDT (23:03 UTC): light rime icing, -6 °C. 60 nm along the route, 20 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC160030/TM 2303/FL170/TP CRJ7/TA M6/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 30 nm south (160°) of JAC
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Temperature
- −6 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- A320 at 33,000 ft, 1 nm southwest, 4:24 pm MDT (22:24 UTC): light to moderate turbulence. 149 nm along the route, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RKS UA /OV OCS306029/TM 2224/FL330/TP A320/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through RKS
- Where
- 29 nm northwest (306°) of OCS
- Time
- 22:24 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate zlc
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 6:09 pm MDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. 278 nm along the route, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B39M at 31,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. 278 nm along the route, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR/TM 2244/FL310/TP B39M/RM MTN WAVE +/-15KTS ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- over EKR
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc
- PC12 , 15 nm northeast, 4:33 pm MDT (22:33 UTC): remarks: ZDVWC-14. 278 nm along the route, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HDN UA /OV CHE030020/TM 2233/FLFL28/TP PC12/SK TOP280/RM ZDVWC-14
- Report
- a routine report filed through HDN
- Where
- 20 nm northeast (030°) of CHE
- Time
- 22:33 UTC
- Height
- at 2,800 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- TOP280
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-14
13 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 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 8 forecast points nearest it (PIH, RKS, DEN, PUB, GCK, AMA, GAG, SPS). 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 | 200° at 28 kt | +9 kt | 16 °C | 111 kt | 7 h 41 min | 3:28 am CDT (08:28 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 28 kt | +6 kt | 12 °C | 114 kt | 7 h 29 min | 3:16 am CDT (08:16 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | +3 kt | 7 °C | 117 kt | 7 h 17 min | 3:04 am CDT (08:04 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +2 kt | 2 °C | 118 kt | 7 h 14 min | 3:01 am CDT (08:01 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | +1 kt | -2 °C | 119 kt | 7 h 10 min | 2:57 am CDT (07:57 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 39 kt | 0 | -7 °C | 120 kt | 7 h 06 min | 2:53 am CDT (07:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 40 kt | −1 kt | -8 °C | 121 kt | 7 h 03 min | 2:50 am CDT (07:50 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 41 kt | −2 kt | -19 °C | 122 kt | 7 h | 2:47 am CDT (07:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 53 kt | −8 kt | -31 °C | 128 kt | 6 h 40 min | 2:27 am CDT (07:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 60 kt | −19 kt | -37 °C | 139 kt | 6 h 08 min | 1:55 am CDT (06:55 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 59 kt | −25 kt | -48 °C | 145 kt | 5 h 53 min | 1:40 am CDT (06:40 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIH | used from 0 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 270/10 | 270/13 1° | 210/16 -2° | 200/56 -11° | 200/51 -23° | 200/68 -33° | 220/77 -37° | 230/73 -44° | |
| RKS | used from 99 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 190/43 | 210/65 3° | 210/57 -9° | 210/56 -21° | 210/47 -33° | 230/63 -37° | 240/77 -46° | ||
| DEN | used from 298 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| PUB | used from 397 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 546 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° | |
| AMA | used from 645 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 190/28 | 220/26 14° | 230/27 7° | 250/24 -6° | 250/32 -16° | 240/51 -28° | 250/52 -38° | 250/51 -50° | |
| GAG | used from 694 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 190/34 19° | 240/27 14° | 240/26 8° | 240/24 -6° | 240/29 -16° | 250/50 -28° | 250/50 -39° | 260/46 -50° | |
| SPS | used from 794 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 180/26 | 200/25 16° | 220/19 13° | 220/20 9° | 230/26 -5° | 230/34 -15° | 260/37 -28° | 270/42 -39° | 280/40 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDA Idaho Falls, ID | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 3,300 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 13 knots | 5 mi | 3,300 ft | 4,743 ft | 6:27 pm MDT (00:27 UTC) |
| AFO Afton, WY | 69 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet, a broken layer at 3,800 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the west (260°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 200 ft | 6,220 ft | 00:30 UTC |
| BPI Big Piney, WY | 99 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 6,993 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| RKS Rock Springs, WY | 179 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 12 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 6,764 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 288 nm out, 7 nm west of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 6,606 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| GNB Granby, CO | 347 nm out, 18 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 12 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | none | 8,207 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 436 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 24,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| GUY Guymon, OK | 635 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 15 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 3,125 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HHF Canadian, TX | 704 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 15 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 2,396 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| AXS Altus, OK | 794 nm out, 1 nm west of the line | VFR | from the south (180°) at 14 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,433 ft | 00:32 UTC |
| SPS Wichita Falls, TX | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,207 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SPS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:40 am CDT (06:40 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SPS
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for IDA, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 3 miles, rain, mist, a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 15 nm from the route, 407 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 3 nm from the route, 417 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at IDA 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC), at SPS 7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:29 pm CDT (00:29 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SPS is before sunrise there (7:36 am CDT (12:36 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: Idaho Falls Regional, Sheppard Afb/Wichita Falls Municipal.