Montrose Regional to Grand Forks International MTJ → GFK
734 nautical miles (845 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 036°, about 024° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 55-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:17 am CDT (13:17 UTC). Right now MTJ is VFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 4 knots; GFK is low IFR, wind from the north (350°) at 13 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: 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 C15C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 4:55 am MDT (10:55 UTC). Near the route, 526 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS32 KKCI 120855 MKCC WST 120855 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 15C VALID UNTIL 1055Z SD ND FROM 50SE DIK-50ENE DPR-40ENE RAP-50NNW RAP-50SE DIK AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- 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 first 317 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the first 268 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 228 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 149 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 119 nm out.
- 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 last 456 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 MTJ.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 30 nm southeast, 1:24 am MDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. 179 nm along the route, 30 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
- Time
- 07:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL180-130
- E170 at 4,800 ft, 46 nm northwest, 12:31 am MDT (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 departure end, 46 nm northwest 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
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 12:19 am MDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. 119 nm along the route, 44 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
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 (GJT, DEN, BFF, RAP, PIR, ABR, GFK). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 260° at 15 kt | −12 kt | 16 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 34 min | 9:39 am CDT (14:39 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 22 kt | −19 kt | 11 °C | 139 kt | 5 h 17 min | 9:22 am CDT (14:22 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 250° at 26 kt | −24 kt | 9 °C | 144 kt | 5 h 06 min | 9:11 am CDT (14:11 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 29 kt | −27 kt | 5 °C | 147 kt | 5 h | 9:05 am CDT (14:05 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | −31 kt | 0 °C | 151 kt | 4 h 52 min | 8:57 am CDT (13:57 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | −34 kt | -4 °C | 154 kt | 4 h 46 min | 8:51 am CDT (13:51 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | −38 kt | -9 °C | 158 kt | 4 h 39 min | 8:44 am CDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 39 kt | −39 kt | -10 °C | 159 kt | 4 h 37 min | 8:42 am CDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 47 kt | −47 kt | -22 °C | 167 kt | 4 h 24 min | 8:29 am CDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 52 kt | −50 kt | -33 °C | 170 kt | 4 h 19 min | 8:24 am CDT (13:24 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 57 kt | −54 kt | -37 °C | 174 kt | 4 h 13 min | 8:18 am CDT (13:18 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 61 kt | −55 kt | -46 °C | 175 kt | 4 h 12 min | 8:17 am CDT (13:17 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 99 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° | ||
| BFF | used from 198 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 280/28 | 260/39 11° | 240/34 5° | 210/38 -11° | 210/52 -22° | 230/61 -31° | 230/61 -36° | 240/56 -45° | |
| RAP | used from 347 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 250/28 16° | 260/31 10° | 240/25 4° | 210/35 -10° | 200/45 -23° | 230/47 -31° | 230/47 -36° | 230/51 -46° | |
| PIR | used from 446 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 230/15 15° | 220/22 14° | 220/24 6° | 200/32 -10° | 210/48 -22° | 240/45 -33° | 240/43 -37° | 250/55 -46° | |
| ABR | used from 546 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 080/12 | 210/12 17° | 220/22 12° | 230/26 5° | 220/28 -10° | 230/41 -21° | 250/36 -36° | 260/47 -39° | 260/63 -47° |
| GFK | used from 645 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 080/18 | L/V 11° | 260/22 7° | 250/48 3° | 260/51 -11° | 250/44 -22° | 260/34 -38° | 260/53 -44° | 270/66 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTJ Montrose, CO | departure | VFR | from the northeast (050°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,758 ft | 2:53 am MDT (08:53 UTC) |
| ASE Aspen, CO | 60 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 7,837 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| EGE Eagle, CO | 79 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 6,547 ft | 08:56 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 208 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (260°) at 20 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 268 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,401 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| CDR Chadron, NE | 337 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 knots | 2.5 mi | 200 ft | 3,297 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| PHP Philip, SD | 436 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (050°) at 10 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 2,209 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| MBG Mobridge, SD | 536 nm out, 3 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 1,716 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| JMS Jamestown, ND | 645 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 500 ft | 1,499 ft | 08:56 UTC |
| BAC Valley City, ND | 665 nm out, 16 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 10 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,401 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| GFK Grand Forks, ND | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north (350°) at 13 knots | 5 mi | 400 ft | 845 ft | 3:53 am CDT (08:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,837 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GFK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:17 am CDT (13:17 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet IFR
30% chance between Mon 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): light rain showers
The whole forecast for GFK
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 14 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 400 feet
- From Mon 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC) and 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 700 feet
The forecast for MTJ, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/4348 GRAND FORKS AFB, ND, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 1 November · ZMP
Daylight
Sunset at MTJ 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at GFK 6:46 pm CDT (23:46 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 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: Montrose Regional, Grand Forks International.