Rifle Garfield County to Van Nuys Airport RIL → VNY
607 nautical miles (698 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 242°, about 232° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 23-knot headwind), arriving about 12:04 am PDT (07:04 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots; VNY is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 10 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: 4 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 129 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 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 189 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 497 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 438 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 428 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 109 to 517 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 129 nm along the route.
- 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 209 to 298 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 448 to 597 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 557 to 597 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
Not fetched just now.
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, WJF). 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 | +23 kt | 10 °C | 97 kt | 6 h 15 min | 12:04 am PDT (07:04 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | +23 kt | 9 °C | 97 kt | 6 h 15 min | 12:04 am PDT (07:04 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | +27 kt | 8 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 32 min | 12:21 am PDT (07:21 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | +32 kt | 3 °C | 88 kt | 6 h 54 min | 12:43 am PDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | +35 kt | -1 °C | 85 kt | 7 h 08 min | 12:57 am PDT (07:57 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | +36 kt | -5 °C | 84 kt | 7 h 14 min | 1:03 am PDT (08:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 210° at 43 kt | +38 kt | -9 °C | 82 kt | 7 h 24 min | 1:13 am PDT (08:13 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 210° at 45 kt | +40 kt | -12 °C | 80 kt | 7 h 35 min | 1:24 am PDT (08:24 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 47 kt | +44 kt | -22 °C | 76 kt | 7 h 59 min | 1:48 am PDT (08:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 53 kt | +49 kt | -28 °C | 71 kt | 8 h 33 min | 2:22 am PDT (09:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 56 kt | +53 kt | -35 °C | 67 kt | 9 h 04 min | 2:53 am PDT (09:53 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | +57 kt | -45 °C | 63 kt | 9 h 38 min | 3:27 am PDT (10:27 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; 20 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 149 nm out; 61 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 298 nm out; 85 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° | |
| WJF | used from 497 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/30 8° | 240/28 5° | 230/34 -2° | 220/34 -13° | 220/48 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 210/48 -34° | 220/52 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIL Rifle, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC) |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 40 nm out, 6 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 |
| CNY Moab, UT | 109 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet, a broken layer at 8,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 21 knots, gusting to 36 | 10+ mi | 8,500 ft | 4,579 ft | 00:12 UTC |
| HVE Hanksville, UT | 149 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | none | 4,453 ft | 00:30 UTC |
| BCE Bryce Canyon, UT | 239 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south (170°) at 15 knots, gusting to 21 | 3 mi | 1,300 ft | 7,589 ft | 00:25 UTC |
| AZC Colorado City, AZ | 289 nm out, 10 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 3,700 feet Weather: heavy rain | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 2,800 ft | 4,873 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| SGU St George, UT | 308 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 2,883 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| LAS Las Vegas, NV | 408 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 2,183 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| DAG Daggett, CA | 517 nm out, 16 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 23 knots, gusting to 35 | 10+ mi | none | 1,930 ft | 23:50 UTC |
| PMD Palmdale, CA | 577 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 17 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 2,542 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 802 ft | 4:51 pm PDT (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,589 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At VNY when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:04 am PDT (07:04 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
The whole forecast for VNY
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
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
- 6/8890 LAS VEGAS, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 388 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZLA
- 6/8808 Las Vegas, NV, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 408 nm along the route · security · starts tomorrow · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC), at VNY 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm PDT (01:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at VNY is before sunrise there (6:56 am PDT (13:56 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, Van Nuys Airport.