Harry Reid International to Santa Maria Pub/Capt G Allan Hancock Field LAS → SMX
269 nautical miles (309 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 256°, about 245° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 8:42 pm PDT (03:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAS is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 12 knots; SMX is VFR, wind from the west (260°) 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: 208 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 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 90 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 70 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 20 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 40 to 159 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Near the route, 149 nm along 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 LAS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B752 at 17,500 ft, 39 nm east, 3:48 pm PDT (22:48 UTC): a broken layer from 17,500 ft to 18,500 ft; overcast, remarks: layer of precip west of niitz 25 nautical miles lgt-hvy rain zlawc. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV BLD065025/TM 2248/FL175/TP B752/SK BKN175-TOP185/OVC/RM LAYER OF PRECIP W OF NIITZ 25 NM LGT-HVY RAIN /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- BLD065025 C
- Time
- 22:48 UTC
- Height
- at 17,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- a broken layer from 17,500 ft, tops 18,500 ft
- Remarks
- layer of precip west of niitz 25 nautical miles lgt-hvy rain zlawc
- G280 at 41,000 ft, 27 nm south, 4:37 pm PDT (23:37 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 20 nm along the route, 27 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV LAS190035/TM 2337/FL410/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm south (190°) of LAS
- Time
- 23:37 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- BCS3 at 31,000 ft, 28 nm south, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 20 kts/zlawc. 50 nm along the route, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAG UA /OV DAG030040/TM 2244/FL310/TP BCS3/RM MTN WAVE /- 20 KTS/ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAG
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (030°) of DAG
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- mountain wave 20 kts/zlawc
- A21N at 29,500 ft, 46 nm south, 3:50 pm PDT (22:50 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc. 70 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAG UA /OV DAG045010/TM 2250/FL295/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE /- 10-15 KTS/ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAG
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (045°) of DAG
- Time
- 22:50 UTC
- Height
- at 29,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc
- B739 at 33,000 ft, 48 nm south, 4:01 pm PDT (23:01 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 10 knots zlawc. 159 nm along the route, 48 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDB UA /OV PMD/TM 2301/FL330/TP B739/RM MTN WAVE /- 10 KT /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDB
- Where
- over PMD
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Remarks
- mountain wave 10 knots zlawc
- SR22 at 10,000 ft, 7 nm south, 4:26 pm PDT (23:26 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 5-10 knots zlawc. 229 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAT UA /OV FLW115010/TM 2326/FL100/TP SR22/RM MTN WAVE /- 5-10 KTS /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAT
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (115°) of FLW
- Time
- 23:26 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SR22
- Remarks
- mountain wave 5-10 knots zlawc
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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (LAS, WJF, SBA). 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 | 210° at 21 kt | +14 kt | 10 °C | 106 kt | 2 h 32 min | 8:42 pm PDT (03:42 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 23 kt | +16 kt | 8 °C | 104 kt | 2 h 35 min | 8:45 pm PDT (03:45 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | +21 kt | 5 °C | 99 kt | 2 h 43 min | 8:53 pm PDT (03:53 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +25 kt | 2 °C | 95 kt | 2 h 50 min | 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +27 kt | -3 °C | 93 kt | 2 h 54 min | 9:04 pm PDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +27 kt | -7 °C | 93 kt | 2 h 54 min | 9:04 pm PDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +27 kt | -10 °C | 93 kt | 2 h 54 min | 9:04 pm PDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 33 kt | +28 kt | -13 °C | 92 kt | 2 h 55 min | 9:05 pm PDT (04:05 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 43 kt | +36 kt | -20 °C | 84 kt | 3 h 12 min | 9:22 pm PDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 46 kt | +36 kt | -28 °C | 84 kt | 3 h 12 min | 9:22 pm PDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 210° at 49 kt | +36 kt | -34 °C | 84 kt | 3 h 12 min | 9:22 pm PDT (04:22 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 52 kt | +42 kt | -44 °C | 78 kt | 3 h 27 min | 9:37 pm PDT (04:37 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| WJF | used from 100 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 220/30 8° | 240/28 5° | 230/34 -2° | 220/34 -13° | 220/48 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 210/48 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |
| SBA | used from 199 nm out; 43 nm from the line | L/V | 170/13 7° | 220/23 4° | 220/30 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 230/34 -20° | 220/38 -28° | 220/37 -35° | 220/43 -44° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAS Las Vegas, NV | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 15,000 ft | 2,183 ft | 5:56 pm PDT (00:56 UTC) |
| IYK Inyokern, CA | 129 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 2,457 ft | ||||
| MHV Mojave, CA | 159 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 14,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 21 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | 14,000 ft | 2,801 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | 189 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Weather: haze | from the northwest (320°) at 14 knots | 6 mi | none | 509 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| SMX Santa Maria, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet | from the west (260°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | 5,000 ft | 261 ft | 5:51 pm PDT (00:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,801 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SMX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:42 pm PDT (03:42 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SMX
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 15 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
The forecast for LAS, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am PDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8808 Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · security · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8783 38NM NE BAKERSFIELD, CA, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Friday, October 23, 2026 UTC 16 nm from the route, 159 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 23 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at LAS 6:08 pm PDT (01:08 UTC), at SMX 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:56 pm PDT (01:56 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SMX is after sunset there (6:32 pm PDT (01:32 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: Harry Reid International, Santa Maria Pub/Capt G Allan Hancock Field.