Montrose Regional to John Wayne/Orange County MTJ → SNA
564 nautical miles (649 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 242°, about 230° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 6 h at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 26-knot headwind), arriving about 12:49 am PDT (07:49 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MTJ is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots; SNA is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 6 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: 62 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 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Over the first 69 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- SIGMET 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 8:55 pm MDT (02:55 UTC). Near the route, 227 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 4W VALID UNTIL 0255Z AZ FROM 60NE TBC-30S INW-100ESE BZA-70SE EED-50NW TBC-60NE TBC DMSHG AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 21020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
- 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 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 307 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 366 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 89 to 485 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 89 to 376 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 218 to 336 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 376 to 544 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 79 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
- urgent GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 49 nm southeast, 5:57 pm MDT (23:57 UTC): severe turbulence, remarks: a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv. 89 nm along the route, 49 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UUA /OV RSK280050/TM 2357/FL450/TP GLF6/TB SEV/RM A/C HAD TO EXIT AUTO PILOT, 45 DEGREE PITCH-ZDV
- Report
- an urgent report filed through FMN
- Where
- 50 nm west (280°) of RSK
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- severe
- Remarks
- a/c had to exit auto pilot, 45 degree pitch-zdv
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 37 nm northwest, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 37 nm northwest 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
- GLF4 at 43,000 ft, 49 nm southeast, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 79 nm along the route, 49 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FMN UA /OV RSK290045/TM 0015/FL430/TP GLF4/TB CONS MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through FMN
- Where
- 45 nm west (290°) of RSK
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 4:54 pm MDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 287 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL493 3648N 11330W 2254 F240 TB MODERATE SK IN CLOUDS IC LIGHT
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. 504 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- SW4 at 20,000 ft, 45 nm east, 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-12. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV GUC/TM 0100/FL200/TP SW4/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over GUC
- Time
- 01:00 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SW4
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- LJ60 at 15,000 ft, 30 nm northeast, 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC): light to moderate icing from 16,500 ft to 19,000 ft, -13 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. At the departure end, 30 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MTJ UA /OV MTJ030030/TM 0028/FL150/TP LJ60/TA M13/IC LGT-MOD 190-165/RM DURD ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MTJ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of MTJ
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ60
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate from 19,000 ft to 16,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 14 nm south, 6:14 pm MDT (00:14 UTC): remarks: zdvwc. 59 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CEZ UA /OV DVC/TM 0014/FL350/TP B738/SK TOP 310/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CEZ
- Where
- over DVC
- Time
- 00:14 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- top 31,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 6:30 pm MDT (00:30 UTC): overcast up to 24,000 ft, remarks: visual conditions FL250 zlawc. 237 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV BCE200040/TM 0030/FL250/TP GLF4/SK OVC-TOP240/RM VMC FL250 /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 40 nm south (200°) of BCE
- Time
- 00:30 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Sky
- overcast, tops 24,000 ft
- Remarks
- visual conditions FL250 zlawc
- B38M at 27,000 ft, 44 nm northwest, 6:03 pm MDT (00:03 UTC): light rime icing, -27 °C, remarks: during the descent. 297 nm along the route, 44 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CDC UA /OV MMM085025/TM 0003/FL270/TP B38M/TA M27/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through CDC
- Where
- 25 nm east (085°) of MMM
- Time
- 00:03 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- −27 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B737 at 24,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 5:29 pm MDT (23:29 UTC): light rime icing, -21 °C, remarks: during the descent during the descent choww arv zlawc. 317 nm along the route, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CDC UA /OV MMM120015/TM 2329/FL240/TP B737/TA M21/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD DURD CHOWW ARV /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through CDC
- Where
- 15 nm southeast (120°) of MMM
- Time
- 23:29 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent during the descent choww arv zlawc
- B38M at 23,000 ft, 20 nm northwest, 5:04 pm MDT (23:04 UTC): light rime icing from 23,000 ft to 25,000 ft, -25 °C, remarks: zlawc. 317 nm along the route, 20 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAS UA /OV BLD064047/TM 2304/FL230/TP B38M/TA M25/IC LGT RIME 230-250/RM ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAS
- Where
- 47 nm northeast (064°) of BLD
- Time
- 23:04 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- −25 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 23,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- zlawc
- G280 at 41,000 ft, 29 nm northwest, 5:37 pm MDT (23:37 UTC): light to moderate clear-air turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 406 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV LAS190035/TM 2337/FL410/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD CAT/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm south (190°) of LAS
- Time
- 23:37 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate clear-air turbulence
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- A21N at 29,500 ft, 29 nm northwest, 4:50 pm MDT (22:50 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc. 455 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DAG UA /OV DAG045010/TM 2250/FL295/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE /- 10-15 KTS/ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through DAG
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (045°) of DAG
- Time
- 22:50 UTC
- Height
- at 29,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave 10-15 kts/zlawc
10 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 4 forecast points nearest it (GJT, BCE, LAS, ONT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | +26 kt | 7 °C | 94 kt | 6 h | 12:49 am PDT (07:49 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +33 kt | 2 °C | 87 kt | 6 h 29 min | 1:18 am PDT (08:18 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +35 kt | -1 °C | 85 kt | 6 h 38 min | 1:27 am PDT (08:27 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 210° at 41 kt | +36 kt | -5 °C | 84 kt | 6 h 43 min | 1:32 am PDT (08:32 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 43 kt | +38 kt | -9 °C | 82 kt | 6 h 53 min | 1:42 am PDT (08:42 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 46 kt | +39 kt | -12 °C | 81 kt | 6 h 58 min | 1:47 am PDT (08:47 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 45 kt | +42 kt | -22 °C | 78 kt | 7 h 14 min | 2:03 am PDT (09:03 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 53 kt | +49 kt | -27 °C | 71 kt | 7 h 57 min | 2:46 am PDT (09:46 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 57 kt | +53 kt | -35 °C | 67 kt | 8 h 25 min | 3:14 am PDT (10:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 57 kt | +56 kt | -45 °C | 64 kt | 8 h 49 min | 3:38 am PDT (10:38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GJT | used from 0 nm out; 49 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° | ||
| BCE | used from 99 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| LAS | used from 297 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| ONT | used from 445 nm out; 71 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTJ Montrose, CO | departure | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,758 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
| AIB Nucla, CO | 40 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the south (180°) at 18 knots, gusting to 22 | 0.5 mi | 8,500 ft | 5,945 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| BDG Blanding, UT | 89 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 21 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | none | 5,867 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| PGA Page, AZ | 198 nm out, 4 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 4,316 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 376 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 707 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| RAL Riverside, CA | 534 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,700 feet | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 3,700 ft | 818 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| SNA Santa Ana, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 55 ft | 5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,945 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SNA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:49 am PDT (07:49 UTC)
Wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SNA
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
The forecast for MTJ, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 376 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 20 nm from the route, 376 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at MTJ 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC), at SNA 6:21 pm PDT (01:21 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm PDT (01:46 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SNA is before sunrise there (6:53 am PDT (13:53 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, John Wayne/Orange County.