Reno/Tahoe International to Bismarck Municipal RNO → BIS
938 nautical miles (1,079 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 056°, about 043° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 69-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:33 am CDT (05:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RNO is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 11 knots, gusting to 14; BIS is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25. 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 W71W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 27,000 ft, moving from the south at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 329 to 419 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 W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 549 to 698 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W VALID UNTIL 0155Z MT WY FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 70 to 519 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 160 to 818 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 219 to 638 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 route from 349 to 898 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 419 to 658 nm out.
- 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 route from 449 to 638 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 RNO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C337 at 10,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 3:04 pm PDT (22:04 UTC): light rime icing, -1 °C. 369 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGU UA /OV MLD 35NW/TM 2204/FL100/TP C337/TA M01/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGU
- Where
- mld 35NW
- Time
- 22:04 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C337
- Temperature
- −1 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- C337 at 12,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 2:45 pm PDT (21:45 UTC): light rime icing, -1 °C. 369 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGU UA /OV MLD/TM 2145/FL120/TP C337/TA M01/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGU
- Where
- over MLD
- Time
- 21:45 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C337
- Temperature
- −1 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- PC12 at 15,000 ft, 10 nm southeast, 4:47 pm PDT (23:47 UTC): light rime icing above 15,000 ft. 449 nm along the route, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC200025/TM 2347/FL150/TP PC12/IC LGT RIME 150 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 25 nm south (200°) of JAC
- Time
- 23:47 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Icing
- light rime at 15,000 ft zlc
- CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 26 nm south, 4:03 pm PDT (23:03 UTC): light rime icing, -6 °C. 469 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC160030/TM 2303/FL170/TP CRJ7/TA M6/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 30 nm south (160°) of JAC
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Temperature
- −6 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- A320 at 6,800 ft, 5 nm west, 3:08 pm PDT (22:08 UTC): scattered clouds above 6,800 ft; overcast above 8,000 ft. 479 nm along the route, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV JAC/TM 2208/FL068/TP A320/SK SCT068 OVC080
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- over JAC
- Time
- 22:08 UTC
- Height
- at 6,800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- SCT068 OVC080
- CRJ2 at 2,900 ft, 36 nm north, 5:05 pm PDT (00:05 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 858 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 0005/FL029/TP CRJ2/SK BASE029
- Report
- a routine report filed through DIK
- Where
- over DIK
- Time
- 00:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,900 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- BASE029
- BE20 at 3,000 ft, 36 nm north, 3:56 pm PDT (22:56 UTC): no turbulence, no icing. 858 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 2256/FL030/TP BE20/SK BASE031/TB NEG/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through DIK
- Where
- over DIK
- Time
- 22:56 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Sky
- BASE031
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- TBM7 at 3,000 ft, 36 nm north, 2:55 pm PDT (21:55 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, 5 °C. 858 nm along the route, 36 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 2155/FL030/TP TBM7/SK BASE030-TOP043/ BASE060-TOP081/TA 05/TB NEG/IC NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through DIK
- Where
- over DIK
- Time
- 21:55 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- TBM7
- Sky
- BASE030-TOP043; BASE060-TOP081
- Temperature
- 5 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
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 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 (RNO, BAM, PIH, LND, BIL, MLS, DIK). 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 | 110° at 7 kt | +5 kt | 5 °C | 115 kt | 8 h 09 min | 3:44 am CDT (08:44 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 6 kt | −3 kt | 5 °C | 123 kt | 7 h 38 min | 3:13 am CDT (08:13 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 12 kt | −10 kt | 2 °C | 130 kt | 7 h 13 min | 2:48 am CDT (07:48 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 23 kt | −19 kt | -1 °C | 139 kt | 6 h 45 min | 2:20 am CDT (07:20 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 210° at 31 kt | −27 kt | -4 °C | 147 kt | 6 h 23 min | 1:58 am CDT (06:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 210° at 39 kt | −35 kt | -8 °C | 155 kt | 6 h 03 min | 1:38 am CDT (06:38 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 46 kt | −42 kt | -11 °C | 162 kt | 5 h 47 min | 1:22 am CDT (06:22 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 48 kt | −44 kt | -12 °C | 164 kt | 5 h 43 min | 1:18 am CDT (06:18 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 51 kt | −47 kt | -23 °C | 167 kt | 5 h 37 min | 1:12 am CDT (06:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 210° at 60 kt | −53 kt | -33 °C | 173 kt | 5 h 25 min | 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 68 kt | −65 kt | -39 °C | 185 kt | 5 h 04 min | 12:39 am CDT (05:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 68 kt | −69 kt | -46 °C | 189 kt | 4 h 58 min | 12:33 am CDT (05:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNO | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/7 | 260/13 1° | 230/21 -7° | 210/38 -17° | 220/43 -26° | 230/54 -29° | 230/59 -32° | 230/54 -41° | |
| BAM | used from 50 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 270/8 4° | 230/27 -4° | 220/49 -18° | 210/52 -26° | 220/77 -29° | 220/71 -33° | 220/63 -43° | ||
| PIH | used from 249 nm out; 109 nm from the line | 270/10 | 270/13 1° | 210/16 -2° | 200/56 -11° | 200/51 -23° | 200/68 -33° | 220/77 -37° | 230/73 -44° | |
| LND | used from 499 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 180/33 10° | 190/50 3° | 210/59 -9° | 200/50 -21° | 190/41 -34° | 230/55 -39° | 240/65 -47° | ||
| BIL | used from 549 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 080/24 | 130/14 -1° | 180/33 0° | 210/43 -10° | 220/58 -21° | 200/55 -36° | 220/75 -44° | 240/83 -48° | |
| MLS | used from 648 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 120/22 5° | 170/18 4° | 200/33 1° | 230/49 -10° | 230/58 -21° | 220/54 -37° | 230/64 -44° | 250/74 -49° | |
| DIK | used from 798 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 110/15 6° | 200/17 5° | 230/31 1° | 240/47 -10° | 240/52 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 240/57 -45° | 250/67 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNO Reno, NV | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,500 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 11 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | none | 4,414 ft | 4:55 pm PDT (23:55 UTC) |
| LOL Lovelock, NV | 70 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,907 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| BAM Battle Mountain, NV | 150 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the north-northwest (340°) at 13 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 4,536 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| TWF Twin Falls, ID | 299 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 4,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 4,153 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| PIH Pocatello, ID | 379 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain | from the southwest (230°) at 15 knots | 7 mi | 700 ft | 4,451 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| JAC Jackson, WY | 479 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 5 mi | 1,300 ft | 6,451 ft | 00:29 UTC |
| GEY Greybull, WY | 598 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet, a broken layer at 2,600 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 3,941 ft | 00:10 UTC |
| BWW Bowman, ND | 828 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 15 knots, gusting to 20 | 3 mi | 400 ft | 2,965 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| HEI Hettinger, ND | 848 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (050°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21 | 3 mi | 500 ft | 2,705 ft | 00:18 UTC |
| BIS Bismarck, ND | destination | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 1,661 ft | 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,451 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BIS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:33 am CDT (05:33 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 800 feet IFR
The whole forecast for BIS
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 800 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 7 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 900 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist
The forecast for RNO, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am PDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at RNO 6:24 pm PDT (01:24 UTC), at BIS 7:01 pm CDT (00:01 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:32 pm CDT (00:32 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BIS is before sunrise there (7:56 am CDT (12:56 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: Reno/Tahoe International, Bismarck Municipal.