Rifle Garfield County to Mineta San Jose International RIL → SJC
680 nautical miles (782 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 263°, about 253° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 13-knot headwind), arriving about 11:30 pm PDT (06:30 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIL is VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 11 knots, gusting to 22; SJC is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 14 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 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the first 120 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.
- SIGMET W71W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 230 to 230 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 W72W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 470 to 490 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.
- 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 200 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 400 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 320 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 400 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 40 nm along the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 90 to 440 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 170 to 300 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 350 to 570 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 RIL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 39 nm east, 5:48 pm MDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the departure end, 39 nm east 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, 44 nm southeast, 4:59 pm MDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 44 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, 37 nm southeast, 4:35 pm MDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 37 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
- C700 at 16,000 ft, 49 nm east, 3:55 pm MDT (21:55 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 49 nm east 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
- LJ40 at 19,000 ft, 38 nm southeast, 3:32 pm MDT (21:32 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 38 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE240010/TM 2132/FL190/TP LJ40/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 10 nm southwest (240°) of ASE
- Time
- 21:32 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ40
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B737 at 36,000 ft, 39 nm east, 3:28 pm MDT (21:28 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2128/FL360/TP B737/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 21:28 UTC
- Height
- at 36,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 28 nm south, 5:41 pm MDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 40 nm along the route, 28 nm south 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
- E75L at 18,000 ft, 32 nm south, 5:24 pm MDT (23:24 UTC): moderate turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft, remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs. 520 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LOL UA /OV BIH300011/TM 2324/FL 180/TP E75L/TB MOD 180-220/RM MTN WAVE /-10 ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LOL
- Where
- 11 nm northwest (300°) of BIH
- Time
- 23:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 12 nm north, 5:32 pm MDT (23:32 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-04. At the departure end, 12 nm north 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
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 45 nm east, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL359020/TM 2327/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP OCNL MOD CHOP/IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm north (359°) of DBL
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop occasional moderate chop
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C680A at 14,000 ft, 39 nm east, 5:02 pm MDT (23:02 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2302/FL140/TP C680A/TB LGT OCNL MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:02 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Turbulence
- light occasional moderate chop
- UAL2862 at 34,000 ft, 34 nm southeast, 4:39 pm MDT (22:39 UTC): no turbulence, wind 238° at 63 knots. At the departure end, 34 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2862 3911N 10708W 2239 F340 238/063KT TB SMTH IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- PA46 at 15,000 ft, 49 nm east, 3:45 pm MDT (21:45 UTC): -5 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-06. At the departure end, 49 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
EGE UA /OV SXW045015/TM 2145/FL150/TP PA46/TA M05/IC T RIME/RM ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through EGE
- Where
- 15 nm northeast (045°) of SXW
- Time
- 21:45 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- T rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-06
- B739 at 33,000 ft, 30 nm northeast, 3:33 pm MDT (21:33 UTC): remarks: mtw a 8-knot loss of airspeed +/-40FT zdvwc. At the departure end, 30 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL315020/TM 2133/FL330/TP B739/RM MTW +/-8KT +/-40FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (315°) of DBL
- Time
- 21:33 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Remarks
- mtw a 8-knot loss of airspeed +/-40FT zdvwc
8 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 7 forecast points nearest it (GJT, BCE, ELY, BIH, FAT, SAC, SFO). 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 | 210° at 20 kt | +13 kt | 6 °C | 107 kt | 6 h 21 min | 11:30 pm PDT (06:30 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | +18 kt | 2 °C | 102 kt | 6 h 40 min | 11:49 pm PDT (06:49 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +21 kt | -2 °C | 99 kt | 6 h 52 min | 12:01 am PDT (07:01 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | +24 kt | -6 °C | 96 kt | 7 h 05 min | 12:14 am PDT (07:14 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | +26 kt | -10 °C | 94 kt | 7 h 14 min | 12:23 am PDT (07:23 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | +28 kt | -13 °C | 92 kt | 7 h 23 min | 12:32 am PDT (07:32 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 43 kt | +30 kt | -24 °C | 90 kt | 7 h 33 min | 12:42 am PDT (07:42 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 57 kt | +46 kt | -27 °C | 74 kt | 9 h 11 min | 2:20 am PDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 57 kt | +46 kt | -35 °C | 74 kt | 9 h 11 min | 2:20 am PDT (09:20 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 56 kt | +49 kt | -44 °C | 71 kt | 9 h 35 min | 2:44 am PDT (09:44 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; 25 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 150 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| ELY | used from 250 nm out; 65 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° | ||
| BIH | used from 400 nm out; 99 nm from the line | L/V | 210/14 6° | 210/20 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 220/32 -24° | 220/63 -27° | 220/56 -35° | 230/50 -44° | |
| FAT | used from 550 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 180/7 | 170/9 7° | 200/20 3° | 210/27 -3° | 240/27 -14° | 230/38 -24° | 220/57 -27° | 230/42 -33° | 230/41 -44° |
| SAC | used from 600 nm out; 64 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° |
| SFO | used from 650 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 220/11 | L/V 5° | 280/7 1° | 270/15 -3° | 290/23 -14° | 310/29 -24° | 280/26 -28° | 250/30 -34° | 250/36 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIL Rifle, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the west (270°) at 11 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 6:05 pm MDT (00:05 UTC) |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 40 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 140 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| FOM Fillmore, UT | 220 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west (270°) at 13 knots | 1.5 mi | 5,000 ft | 4,984 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| TPH Tonopah, NV | 450 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 19 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 5,430 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| MMH Mammoth Lakes, CA | 530 nm out, 22 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 19 knots, gusting to 30 | 10+ mi | none | 7,134 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MPI Mariposa, CA | 590 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | no report just now | 2,254 ft | ||||
| MOD Modesto, CA | 630 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 99 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| SJC San Jose, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 5,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 14 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 62 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,134 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SJC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:30 pm PDT (06:30 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SJC
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for RIL, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 26, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 7 nm from the route, 570 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, at the destination end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at SJC 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm PDT (02:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SJC is before sunrise there (7:12 am PDT (14:12 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: Rifle Garfield County, Mineta San Jose International.