Kansas City International to San Francisco International MCI → SFO
1,299 nautical miles (1,495 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 274°, about 272° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 12 h 37 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 17-knot headwind), arriving about 10:57 am PDT (17:57 UTC). Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22; SFO is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 5 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: 738 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 W14W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 1:55 am CDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 1019 to 1109 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120455 MKCW WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 14W VALID UNTIL 0655Z NV FROM 40NW BVL-20WNW ELY-20SSE OAL-40WNW OAL-50NE BAM-40NW BVL AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- 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 first 370 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 380 to 800 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 390 to 990 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 480 to 650 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 590 to 1049 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 670 to 1019 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 100 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 MCI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 11 nm southwest, 11:30 pm CDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 560 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest 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
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 31 nm north, 9:34 pm CDT (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 490 nm along the route, 31 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of DVV
- Time
- 02:34 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-05
- PC12 at 17,000 ft, 21 nm south, 11:52 pm CDT (04:52 UTC): moderate turbulence, moderate rime icing, -15 °C, remarks: entered by zoa fdcs. 1079 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
TPH UA /OV OAL/TM 0452/FL 170/TP PC12/TA M15/TB MOD/IC MOD RIME/RM ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through TPH
- Where
- over OAL
- Time
- 04:52 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −15 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Icing
- moderate rime
- Remarks
- entered by zoa fdcs
- CL60 at 33,000 ft, 31 nm south, 9:35 pm CDT (02:35 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-100FT zdvwc. 450 nm along the route, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK080015/TM 0235/FL330/TP CL60/RM MTW +/-100FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm east (080°) of BRK
- Time
- 02:35 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- mtw +/-100FT zdvwc
- A320 descending, 21 nm north, 10:19 pm CDT (03:19 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 460 nm along the route, 21 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0319/FLDURD/TP A320/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 03:19 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 descending, 21 nm north, 9:29 pm CDT (02:29 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 460 nm along the route, 21 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 02:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 18 nm south, 12:06 am CDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 500 nm along the route, 18 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 05:06 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
- CL35 at 41,000 ft, 36 nm north, 9:40 pm CDT (02:40 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05. 540 nm along the route, 36 nm north 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
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 12 nm north, 10:28 pm CDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 600 nm along the route, 12 nm north 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, 10 nm south, 10:11 pm CDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 610 nm along the route, 10 nm south 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
- C501 at 15,000 ft, 20 nm south, 9:32 pm CDT (02:32 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -2 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 640 nm along the route, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV JNC090020/TM 0232/FL150/TP C501/TA M02/TB INTMT LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 20 nm east (090°) of JNC
- Time
- 02:32 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C501
- Temperature
- −2 °C
- Turbulence
- intermittent light chop
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 28 nm north, 9:24 pm CDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 740 nm along the route, 28 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
- Time
- 02:24 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
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 11 forecast points nearest it (MKC, SLN, GLD, DEN, GJT, BCE, ELY, BIH, FAT, SAC, SFO). 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 | 220° at 28 kt | +17 kt | 103 kt | 12 h 37 min | 10:57 am PDT (17:57 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +18 kt | 13 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 44 min | 11:04 am PDT (18:04 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | +18 kt | 8 °C | 102 kt | 12 h 44 min | 11:04 am PDT (18:04 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +19 kt | 5 °C | 101 kt | 12 h 52 min | 11:12 am PDT (18:12 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +20 kt | 1 °C | 100 kt | 12 h 59 min | 11:19 am PDT (18:19 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +21 kt | -3 °C | 99 kt | 13 h 07 min | 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +22 kt | -8 °C | 98 kt | 13 h 15 min | 11:35 am PDT (18:35 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 30 kt | +23 kt | -11 °C | 97 kt | 13 h 24 min | 11:44 am PDT (18:44 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 39 kt | +30 kt | -22 °C | 90 kt | 14 h 26 min | 12:46 pm PDT (19:46 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 51 kt | +42 kt | -29 °C | 78 kt | 16 h 39 min | 2:59 pm PDT (21:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 54 kt | +46 kt | -35 °C | 74 kt | 17 h 33 min | 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 49 kt | +43 kt | -45 °C | 77 kt | 16 h 52 min | 3:12 pm PDT (22:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/28 18° | 250/18 13° | 240/12 6° | 280/24 -6° | 240/34 -18° | 260/47 -30° | 260/51 -40° | 270/58 -50° |
| SLN | used from 50 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 210/53 | 230/41 20° | 240/26 14° | 230/16 8° | 240/25 -7° | 240/35 -19° | 250/61 -30° | 260/65 -38° | 260/56 -49° |
| GLD | used from 250 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| DEN | used from 400 nm out; 44 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° | ||
| GJT | used from 550 nm out; 68 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° | ||
| BCE | used from 750 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 220/27 -1° | 210/40 -13° | 220/54 -21° | 220/64 -30° | 220/64 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |||
| ELY | used from 850 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 200/39 3° | 210/27 -2° | 210/45 -15° | 220/56 -24° | 210/60 -28° | 210/63 -34° | 220/61 -43° | ||
| BIH | used from 1049 nm out; 67 nm from the line | L/V | 240/7 1° | 190/13 -3° | 200/26 -16° | 210/43 -26° | 220/54 -28° | 220/51 -35° | 220/47 -43° | |
| FAT | used from 1149 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 130/16 | 160/20 5° | 190/28 -1° | 210/25 -5° | 220/27 -15° | 230/21 -26° | 220/42 -29° | 220/44 -35° | 220/44 -44° |
| SAC | used from 1199 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 110/6 | L/V 4° | 010/11 -2° | 350/11 -7° | 340/24 -16° | 360/44 -23° | 330/24 -30° | 270/21 -35° | 230/23 -43° |
| SFO | used from 1249 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 120/13 | 090/14 5° | 040/14 -1° | 350/17 -5° | 360/42 -14° | 360/64 -23° | 350/38 -32° | 300/19 -37° | 250/18 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCI Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 1,027 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 90 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 04:52 UTC |
| HLC Hill City, KS | 240 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 2,238 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| CBK Colby, KS | 290 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 22 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | none | 3,188 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | 470 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 5,884 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 640 nm out, 10 nm south of the line, tower | 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 | 04:53 UTC |
| FOM Fillmore, UT | 820 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 12,000 ft | 4,984 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| HTH Hawthorne, NV | 1119 nm out, 19 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 10 knots, gusting to 15 | 9 mi | none | 4,230 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| LVK Livermore, CA | 1269 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| SFO San Francisco, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 9:56 pm PDT (04:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,884 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SFO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:57 am PDT (17:57 UTC)
Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SFO
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MCI, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 17 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 1179 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 16 nm from the route, at the destination end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at MCI 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at SFO 6:36 pm PDT (01:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm PDT (02:02 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: Kansas City International, San Francisco International.
