Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field to Grand Junction Regional MSN → GJT
898 nautical miles (1,034 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 261°, about 264° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 3:36 am MDT (09:36 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSN is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 5 knots; GJT is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24. 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: 1 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 W68W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 36,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Over the last 80 nm of the route.
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 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 309 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 210 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 120 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 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 MSN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 33 nm south, 4:49 pm CDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. 729 nm along the route, 33 nm south 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
- UAL1340 at 40,000 ft, 24 nm south, 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 244° at 70 knots. 529 nm along the route, 24 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1340 4046N 10049W 0018 F400 244/070KT TB OCNL MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 11 nm south, 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 669 nm along the route, 11 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 23 nm southeast, 6:31 pm CDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 669 nm along the route, 23 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 20 nm north, 6:28 pm CDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 729 nm along the route, 20 nm north 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
- B39M at 32,000 ft, 31 nm north, 6:58 pm CDT (23:58 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: moderate mtw a 30-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-14. 779 nm along the route, 31 nm north 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
- C700 at 16,000 ft, 7 nm south, 4:55 pm CDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence. 809 nm along the route, 7 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
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 10 nm south, 6:48 pm CDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 819 nm along the route, 10 nm south 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
- C680A at 16,000 ft, 23 nm southeast, 5:59 pm CDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 829 nm along the route, 23 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV HAERI/TM 2259/FL160/TP C680A/SK SCT160/TB CONS MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- haeri
- Time
- 22:59 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 16,000 ft
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C680 at 18,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 5:35 pm CDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. 848 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 9 nm southeast, 6:41 pm CDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the destination end, 9 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B737 at 32,000 ft, 16 nm east, 5:42 pm CDT (22:42 UTC): light clear-air turbulence. At the departure end, 16 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
UES UA /OV BAE270030/TM 2242/FL320/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CAT
- Report
- a routine report filed through UES
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BAE
- Time
- 22:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- occasional light clear-air turbulence
- B738 at 36,000 ft, 46 nm east, 5:11 pm CDT (22:11 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 46 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 2211/FL360/TP B738/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through UES
- Where
- over BAE
- Time
- 22:11 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- none
- A21N at 34,000 ft, 31 nm south, 5:01 pm CDT (22:01 UTC): light chop turbulence. 140 nm along the route, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALO UA /OV ALO180020/TM 2201/FL340/TP A21N/TB CONS LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALO
- Where
- 20 nm south (180°) of ALO
- Time
- 22:01 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
16 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 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 9 forecast points nearest it (DBQ, MCW, OMA, ONL, GRI, GLD, BFF, DEN, GJT). 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 26 kt | +18 kt | 19 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 48 min | 3:36 am MDT (09:36 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +21 kt | 17 °C | 99 kt | 9 h 04 min | 3:52 am MDT (09:52 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | +21 kt | 13 °C | 99 kt | 9 h 04 min | 3:52 am MDT (09:52 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | +20 kt | 9 °C | 100 kt | 8 h 59 min | 3:47 am MDT (09:47 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 22 kt | +21 kt | 5 °C | 99 kt | 9 h 04 min | 3:52 am MDT (09:52 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 24 kt | +23 kt | 0 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 15 min | 4:03 am MDT (10:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | +26 kt | -4 °C | 94 kt | 9 h 33 min | 4:21 am MDT (10:21 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 28 kt | +29 kt | -8 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 52 min | 4:40 am MDT (10:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 35 kt | +35 kt | -20 °C | 85 kt | 10 h 34 min | 5:22 am MDT (11:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 41 kt | +41 kt | -33 °C | 79 kt | 11 h 22 min | 6:10 am MDT (12:10 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 49 kt | +50 kt | -40 °C | 70 kt | 12 h 50 min | 7:38 am MDT (13:38 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 60 kt | +60 kt | -50 °C | 60 kt | 14 h 58 min | 9:46 am MDT (15:46 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBQ | used from 0 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 220/23 | 240/22 16° | 240/24 10° | 260/18 5° | 270/16 -8° | 290/27 -19° | 310/42 -35° | 320/55 -44° | 300/71 -52° |
| MCW | used from 100 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 200/35 | 240/33 18° | 250/20 10° | 260/10 6° | 270/18 -8° | 260/28 -19° | 280/30 -34° | 290/49 -43° | 280/70 -54° |
| OMA | used from 250 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| ONL | used from 349 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 200/20 17° | 230/26 14° | 240/21 7° | 250/27 -9° | 260/32 -19° | 240/44 -34° | 240/56 -41° | 250/62 -51° | |
| GRI | used from 399 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 210/31 19° | 240/21 14° | 240/17 6° | 260/27 -7° | 260/34 -18° | 240/45 -32° | 250/56 -40° | 260/62 -51° | |
| GLD | used from 549 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 190/29 | 200/30 15° | 240/23 8° | 250/39 -7° | 230/39 -19° | 230/57 -31° | 240/67 -39° | 250/62 -49° | |
| BFF | used from 599 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| DEN | used from 649 nm out; 47 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° | ||
| GJT | used from 799 nm out; 75 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN Madison, WI | departure | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 886 ft | 6:53 pm CDT (23:53 UTC) |
| PDC Prairie du Chien, WI | 80 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 660 ft | 17:15 UTC |
| ALO Waterloo, IA | 140 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| SKI Sac City, IA | 250 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,249 ft | ||||
| SUX Sioux City, IA | 309 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,098 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| ODX Ord, NE | 439 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,070 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| BBW Broken Bow, NE | 469 nm out, 1 nm east of the line | VFR | from the north (360°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,546 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| GGF Grant, NE | 569 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,424 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| STK Sterling, CO | 639 nm out, 1 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the northeast (040°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,037 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 739 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 819 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (280°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,547 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | destination | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GJT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:36 am MDT (09:36 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 20 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for GJT
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 18 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 20 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for MSN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 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 MSN 6:19 pm CDT (23:19 UTC), at GJT 6:40 pm MDT (00:40 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm MDT (01:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GJT is before sunrise there (7:20 am MDT (13:20 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: Dane County Rgnl/Truax Field, Grand Junction Regional.