Jackson Hole Airport to Albuquerque International Sunport JAC → ABQ
549 nautical miles (632 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 158°, about 145° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 26 min at the quickest height in today's winds (11,500 ft, a 19-knot headwind), arriving about 5:26 am MDT (11:26 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now JAC is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots; ABQ 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: 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
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the first 230 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 289 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 70 to 379 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 449 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 190 to 359 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 190 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the last 160 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 JAC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 40 nm northeast, 9:28 pm MDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 279 nm along the route, 40 nm northeast 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
- UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 9:11 pm MDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 299 nm along the route, 26 nm northeast 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
- B733 at 20,000 ft, 48 nm east, 9:16 pm MDT (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. 349 nm along the route, 48 nm east 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
- PC12 at 16,400 ft, 23 nm southwest, 9:15 pm MDT (03:15 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 16,000 ft, clear from 16,400 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-36. 409 nm along the route, 23 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO230013/TM 0315/FL164/TP PC12/SK SKC/TB CONS LGT CHOP BLO 160/RM DURC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- 13 nm southwest (230°) of DRO
- Time
- 03:15 UTC
- Height
- at 16,400 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop below 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-36
- BE20 at 20,400 ft, 15 nm northeast, 9:14 pm MDT (03:14 UTC): rain, heavy rain, blowing, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-36. 409 nm along the route, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DRO UA /OV DRO050025/TM 0314/FL204/TP BE20/WX RA-+RA BLO 150/RM DURC ZDVWC-36
- Report
- a routine report filed through DRO
- Where
- 25 nm northeast (050°) of DRO
- Time
- 03:14 UTC
- Height
- at 20,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Weather
- ra-+ra, below, at 15,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-36
- B738 at 11,000 ft, 9 nm southeast, 9:25 pm MDT (03:25 UTC): 7 °C, wind 220° at 30 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. At the destination end, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABQ UA /OV ABQ094018 /TM 0325 /FL110 /TP B738 /TA 07 /WV 22030KT /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABQ
- Where
- 18 nm east (094°) of ABQ
- Time
- 03:25 UTC
- Height
- at 11,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 7 °C
- Wind
- from 220° at 30 knots
- Remarks
- produced by skypath
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 (LND, RKS, GJT, FMN, ABQ). 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 | +21 kt | 8 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 33 min | 5:33 am MDT (11:33 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 34 kt | +21 kt | 7 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 33 min | 5:33 am MDT (11:33 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 39 kt | +19 kt | 3 °C | 101 kt | 5 h 26 min | 5:26 am MDT (11:26 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +19 kt | -1 °C | 101 kt | 5 h 26 min | 5:26 am MDT (11:26 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 43 kt | +21 kt | -6 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 33 min | 5:33 am MDT (11:33 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 45 kt | +22 kt | -10 °C | 98 kt | 5 h 36 min | 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 45 kt | +22 kt | -11 °C | 98 kt | 5 h 36 min | 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 55 kt | +25 kt | -22 °C | 95 kt | 5 h 47 min | 5:47 am MDT (11:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 63 kt | +27 kt | -28 °C | 93 kt | 5 h 54 min | 5:54 am MDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 71 kt | +22 kt | -35 °C | 98 kt | 5 h 36 min | 5:36 am MDT (11:36 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 63 kt | +23 kt | -45 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 40 min | 5:40 am MDT (11:40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LND | used from 0 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 100 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| GJT | used from 200 nm out; 63 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° | ||
| FMN | used from 349 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| ABQ | used from 499 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 220/27 11° | 210/35 5° | 220/46 -9° | 230/62 -20° | 240/78 -25° | 240/80 -35° | 240/56 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAC Jackson, WY | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,500 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 6,451 ft | 11:56 pm MDT (05:56 UTC) |
| BPI Big Piney, WY | 70 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 6,993 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| VEL Vernal, UT | 200 nm out, 19 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 5,274 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 289 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| TEX Telluride, CO | 359 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet | from the south (170°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 9,069 ft | 05:35 UTC |
| DRO Durango, CO | 409 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 6,689 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| ABQ Albuquerque, NM | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,354 ft | 11:52 pm MDT (05:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,069 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ABQ when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:26 am MDT (11:26 UTC)
Wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ABQ
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
The forecast for JAC, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 5 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 3:00 pm MDT (21:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, overcast at 3,000 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 JAC 6:43 pm MDT (00:43 UTC), at ABQ 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm MDT (00:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ABQ is before sunrise there (7:09 am MDT (13:09 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: Jackson Hole Airport, Albuquerque International Sunport.