Sacramento Mather Airport to Northern Colorado Regional MHR → FNL
762 nautical miles (877 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 076°, about 063° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 55-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:10 pm MDT (05:10 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MHR is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots; FNL is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) 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: 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
- SIGMET W72W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 168 to 228 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 72W VALID UNTIL 0155Z NV FROM 60SSW BAM-60W ELY-OAL-40WNW OAL-60SSW BAM AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- SIGMET W71W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 396 to 495 nm out.
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 W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 574 to 633 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 68W VALID UNTIL 0155Z CO NM AZ UT FROM 30W CHE-20NNW TBE-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SW MTU-30W CHE AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL360.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 69 to 109 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 168 to 554 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 524 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 247 to 712 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 386 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 425 to 693 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 584 to 623 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 MHR.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent BCS3 at 5,400 ft, 16 nm north, 4:35 pm PDT (23:35 UTC): remarks: wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final. 455 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UUA /OV PVU310001/TM 2335/FL054/TP BCS3/RM WIND SHEAR 10 KT GAIN 1000 AGL ON FINAL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through PVU
- Where
- 1 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 5,400 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- wind shear 10 knots gain 1000 above ground on final
- PA44 at 6,000 ft, 17 nm north, 4:25 pm PDT (23:25 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: runway in sight at at 6,400 ft. 455 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV PVU310002/TM 2325/FL060/TP PA44/TB MOD /RM RWY IN SIGHT AT 064
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 2 nm northwest (310°) of PVU
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA44
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- runway in sight at at 6,400 ft
- A21N at 33,000 ft, 12 nm north, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave +25-30KTS. 653 nm along the route, 12 nm north 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
- C700 at 16,000 ft, 49 nm south, 2:55 pm PDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence. 683 nm along the route, 49 nm south 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
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 5 nm southwest, 4:58 pm PDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 703 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest 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
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 2 nm east, 4:28 pm PDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 2 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B737 at 27,000 ft, 26 nm south, 3:14 pm PDT (22:14 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed +/-300FT entered by zoa fdcs. 99 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RNO UA /OV 3830N11910W/TM 2214/FL270/TP B737/RM MTN WAVE +/-10KTS +/-300FT ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through RNO
- Where
- 3830N11910W
- Time
- 22:14 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed +/-300FT entered by zoa fdcs
- C17 at 27,000 ft, 43 nm south, 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC): light rime icing, -25 °C. 406 nm along the route, 43 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA180010/TM 2258/FL270/TP C17/TA M25/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm south (180°) of DTA
- Time
- 22:58 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Temperature
- −25 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- TOP280ZL , 26 nm north, 3:08 pm PDT (22:08 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 425 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV SLC207036/TM 2208/FLA21N/TP TOP 280 /ZL
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 36 nm southwest (207°) of SLC
- Time
- 22:08 UTC
- Height
- at A21N
- Aircraft
- TOP 280 /ZL
- A321 at 10,000 ft, 35 nm north, 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent. 445 nm along the route, 35 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV TCH165020/TM 0000/FL100/TP A321/TB LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm south (165°) of TCH
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent
- UAL1791 at 31,000 ft, 18 nm south, 3:40 pm PDT (22:40 UTC): light turbulence, -34 °C, wind 224° at 52 knots. 613 nm along the route, 18 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1791 3959N 10807W 2240 F310 MS34 224/052KT TB LIGHT SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 14 nm south, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. 623 nm along the route, 14 nm south 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, 14 nm south, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. 623 nm along the route, 14 nm south 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
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 35 nm south, 4:32 pm PDT (23:32 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-04. 633 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR146023/TM 2332/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT /IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-04
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 23 nm southeast (146°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:32 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-04
9 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 7 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, GJT, DEN). 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 | 220° at 19 kt | −13 kt | 7 °C | 133 kt | 5 h 44 min | 12:33 am MDT (06:33 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 25 kt | −16 kt | 5 °C | 136 kt | 5 h 36 min | 12:25 am MDT (06:25 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −22 kt | 0 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 22 min | 12:11 am MDT (06:11 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −25 kt | -4 °C | 145 kt | 5 h 15 min | 12:04 am MDT (06:04 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 39 kt | −28 kt | -8 °C | 148 kt | 5 h 09 min | 11:58 pm MDT (05:58 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 43 kt | −30 kt | -12 °C | 150 kt | 5 h 05 min | 11:54 pm MDT (05:54 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 44 kt | −31 kt | -13 °C | 151 kt | 5 h 03 min | 11:52 pm MDT (05:52 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 52 kt | −32 kt | -24 °C | 152 kt | 5 h 01 min | 11:50 pm MDT (05:50 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 61 kt | −48 kt | -29 °C | 168 kt | 4 h 32 min | 11:21 pm MDT (05:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 65 kt | −55 kt | -35 °C | 175 kt | 4 h 21 min | 11:10 pm MDT (05:10 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 63 kt | −54 kt | -44 °C | 174 kt | 4 h 23 min | 11:12 pm MDT (05:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAC | used from 0 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 270/5 | L/V 5° | L/V -1° | 240/11 -5° | 250/22 -15° | 270/25 -24° | 260/31 -27° | 240/39 -33° | 240/39 -42° |
| RNO | used from 49 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 320/7 | 260/13 1° | 230/21 -7° | 210/38 -17° | 220/43 -26° | 230/54 -29° | 230/59 -32° | 230/54 -41° | |
| BAM | used from 148 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 270/8 4° | 230/27 -4° | 220/49 -18° | 210/52 -26° | 220/77 -29° | 220/71 -33° | 220/63 -43° | ||
| ELY | used from 247 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 210/20 4° | 240/21 -1° | 230/37 -13° | 200/58 -25° | 220/73 -27° | 220/73 -36° | 220/69 -44° | ||
| SLC | used from 396 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 280/8 | 210/39 5° | 210/52 -1° | 200/50 -11° | 200/56 -23° | 220/61 -28° | 230/73 -37° | 230/73 -45° | |
| GJT | used from 544 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -46° | ||
| DEN | used from 693 nm out; 68 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MHR Sacramento, CA | departure | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 98 ft | 3:15 pm PDT (22:15 UTC) |
| PVF Placerville, CA | 30 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | reported, no category | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,585 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MEV Minden, NV | 79 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 4,723 ft | ||||
| TMT Austin, NV | 198 nm out, 12 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the southeast (130°) at 10 knots, gusting to 23 | 7 mi | 4,400 ft | 5,735 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| ELY Ely, NV | 307 nm out, 18 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,259 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 455 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,500 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the south-southwest (210°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 4,496 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| VEL Vernal, UT | 554 nm out, 16 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,274 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 663 nm out, 9 nm north 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 | 722 nm out, 19 nm south 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 |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | destination | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 5:56 pm MDT (23:56 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 FNL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:10 pm MDT (05:10 UTC)
FNL has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
The forecast for MHR, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 6:00 am PDT (13:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at MHR 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC), at FNL 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:52 pm MDT (00:52 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FNL is before sunrise there (7:07 am MDT (13:07 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: Sacramento Mather Airport, Northern Colorado Regional.