Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport to Grand Junction Regional MSP → GJT
764 nautical miles (879 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 248°, about 248° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 20-knot headwind), arriving about 8:44 am MDT (14:44 UTC). Right now MSP is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots; GJT is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 307 to 377 nm out.
- 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 route from 317 to 476 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 307 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 258 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 169 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 60 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 MSP.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 35 nm southeast, 11:30 pm CDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 694 nm along the route, 35 nm southeast 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
- B38M at 21,500 ft, 7 nm northwest, 11:33 pm CDT (04:33 UTC): light turbulence up to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13. 605 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN305065/TM 0433/FL215/TP B38M/TB LGT BLO 250/RM DURD FLATI STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 65 nm northwest (305°) of DEN
- Time
- 04:33 UTC
- Height
- at 21,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light below 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 42 nm southeast, 1:19 am CDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. 635 nm along the route, 42 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN250045/TM 0619/FL250/TP A20N/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 260/RM DURC. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm west (250°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:19 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-06
- E170 at 4,800 ft, 0 nm west, 1:31 am CDT (06:31 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, clear from 4,800 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc. At the destination end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT/TM 0631/FL048/TP E170/SK SKC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM DURD RNAV Y 11 LGJT. ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- over GJT
- Time
- 06:31 UTC
- Height
- at 4,800 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent rnav Y 11 lgjt zdvwc
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 6 forecast points nearest it (MSP, FSD, ONL, 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 25 kt | +20 kt | 20 °C | 100 kt | 7 h 38 min | 8:44 am MDT (14:44 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | +24 kt | 18 °C | 96 kt | 7 h 58 min | 9:04 am MDT (15:04 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +27 kt | 12 °C | 93 kt | 8 h 13 min | 9:19 am MDT (15:19 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +27 kt | 9 °C | 93 kt | 8 h 13 min | 9:19 am MDT (15:19 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +28 kt | 4 °C | 92 kt | 8 h 18 min | 9:24 am MDT (15:24 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +29 kt | -1 °C | 91 kt | 8 h 24 min | 9:30 am MDT (15:30 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | +30 kt | -5 °C | 90 kt | 8 h 29 min | 9:35 am MDT (15:35 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 32 kt | +31 kt | -9 °C | 89 kt | 8 h 35 min | 9:41 am MDT (15:41 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 38 kt | +38 kt | -21 °C | 82 kt | 9 h 19 min | 10:25 am MDT (16:25 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 45 kt | +45 kt | -33 °C | 75 kt | 10 h 11 min | 11:17 am MDT (17:17 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 50 kt | +51 kt | -39 °C | 69 kt | 11 h 04 min | 12:10 pm MDT (18:10 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 52 kt | +52 kt | -47 °C | 68 kt | 11 h 14 min | 12:20 pm MDT (18:20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSP | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 230/26 | 240/30 17° | 240/24 12° | 250/22 5° | 250/35 -10° | 260/36 -21° | 250/41 -36° | 250/49 -45° | 260/58 -52° |
| FSD | used from 99 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| ONL | used from 248 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 397 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| DEN | used from 546 nm out; 55 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 645 nm out; 94 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSP Minneapolis, MN | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 17,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 17,000 ft | 841 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| GYL Glencoe, MN | 40 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 992 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| PQN Pipestone, MN | 139 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR | from the east-northeast (070°) at 5 knots | 9 mi | none | 1,736 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 169 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (010°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| AGZ Wagner, SD | 248 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 1,477 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| ANW Ainsworth, NE | 327 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 6 knots | 5 mi | 300 ft | 2,588 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| OKS Oshkosh, NE | 446 nm out, 22 nm south of the line | no report just now | 3,394 ft | ||||
| IBM Kimball, NE | 506 nm out, 6 nm south of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,925 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 585 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 684 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,500 feet | from the east-southeast (110°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,547 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| RIL Rifle, CO | 724 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 4,861 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 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, 8:44 am MDT (14:44 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 19 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for GJT
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north 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 2:00 am MDT (08:00 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 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 19 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
The forecast for MSP, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- From Tue 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 19 October · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 UTC), at GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:05 pm MDT (01:05 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: Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Grand Junction Regional.