Reno/Tahoe International to William P Hobby Airport RNO → HOU
1,342 nautical miles (1,544 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 109°, about 096° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 31-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:33 am CDT (10:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RNO is VFR, wind from the north (360°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22; HOU is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 7 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: 11 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 5W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 99 to 179 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 5W VALID UNTIL 0255Z NV FROM 10NNE BAM-40WSW BVL-60SW ELY-10SE OAL-30WNW OAL-10NNE BAM AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- SIGMET 4W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 447 to 467 nm out.
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.
- SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 547 to 745 nm out.
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.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 467 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 70 to 447 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 89 to 149 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 129 to 497 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 159 to 785 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 278 to 407 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 557 to 686 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 646 to 795 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
- UAL493 at 24,000 ft, 48 nm southwest, 3:54 pm PDT (22:54 UTC): moderate turbulence. 338 nm along the route, 48 nm southwest 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 descending, 9 nm south, 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the descent RY35L rno. At the departure end, 9 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
RNO UA /OV KRNO167009/TM 0128/FLUNKN/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM DURD RY35L RNO
- Report
- a routine report filed through RNO
- Where
- 9 nm south (167°) of KRNO
- Time
- 01:28 UTC
- Height
- height not given
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- during the descent RY35L rno
- GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 15 nm southwest, 5:30 pm PDT (00:30 UTC): overcast up to 24,000 ft, remarks: visual conditions FL250 zlawc. 358 nm along the route, 15 nm southwest 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
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 10 nm southwest, 5:15 pm PDT (00:15 UTC): light turbulence above 14,000 ft. 666 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABQ UA /OV ABQ275007/TM 0015/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT ABV 140
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABQ
- Where
- 7 nm west (275°) of ABQ
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light above 14,000 ft
- CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 4:49 pm PDT (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. 686 nm along the route, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SAF UA /OV KSAF/TM 2349/FL100 /TP CRJ7/RM LIGHT TURBULENCE, BASES ABOVE 100, VSBY 3 MILES CONTINUOUSLY, DURD RNAV RY20 KSAF
- Report
- a routine report filed through SAF
- Where
- over KSAF
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF
- B39M at 27,000 ft, 14 nm north, 5:42 pm PDT (00:42 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zhu. At the destination end, 14 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAH UA /OV IH340035/TM 0042/FL270/TP B39M/TB LT CHOP DURC/RM ZHU
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAH
- Where
- IH340035
- Time
- 00:42 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Turbulence
- lt chop during the climb
- Remarks
- zhu
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 11 forecast points nearest it (RNO, BIH, ELY, BCE, FMN, ABQ, ROW, LBB, ABI, CLL, HOU). 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 | 180° at 17 kt | +8 kt | 18 °C | 112 kt | 11 h 59 min | 8:39 am CDT (13:39 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | +2 kt | 12 °C | 118 kt | 11 h 22 min | 8:02 am CDT (13:02 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 11 h 05 min | 7:45 am CDT (12:45 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −5 kt | 4 °C | 125 kt | 10 h 44 min | 7:24 am CDT (12:24 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −6 kt | 0 °C | 126 kt | 10 h 39 min | 7:19 am CDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −7 kt | -4 °C | 127 kt | 10 h 34 min | 7:14 am CDT (12:14 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −9 kt | -8 °C | 129 kt | 10 h 24 min | 7:04 am CDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 34 kt | −9 kt | -9 °C | 129 kt | 10 h 24 min | 7:04 am CDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 38 kt | −14 kt | -19 °C | 134 kt | 10 h 01 min | 6:41 am CDT (11:41 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 53 kt | −27 kt | -28 °C | 147 kt | 9 h 08 min | 5:48 am CDT (10:48 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 52 kt | −31 kt | -37 °C | 151 kt | 8 h 53 min | 5:33 am CDT (10:33 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 47 kt | −30 kt | -48 °C | 150 kt | 8 h 57 min | 5:37 am CDT (10:37 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° | |
| BIH | used from 99 nm out; 101 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° | |
| ELY | used from 149 nm out; 81 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° | ||
| BCE | used from 298 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| FMN | used from 497 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| ABQ | used from 596 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 200/28 13° | 210/28 5° | 210/44 -7° | 230/46 -20° | 230/80 -28° | 240/74 -35° | 240/58 -47° | ||
| ROW | used from 745 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 180/23 | 190/24 15° | 210/27 7° | 230/35 -6° | 240/53 -17° | 240/62 -27° | 250/64 -38° | 260/60 -50° | |
| LBB | used from 894 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 180/26 20° | 210/21 13° | 230/21 7° | 250/25 -5° | 250/34 -16° | 250/52 -28° | 260/47 -38° | 260/49 -50° | |
| ABI | used from 994 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 180/26 17° | 220/18 12° | 230/25 8° | 230/28 -5° | 240/29 -14° | 250/35 -28° | 270/37 -39° | 280/37 -51° | |
| CLL | used from 1143 nm out; 98 nm from the line | 160/18 | 190/18 16° | 200/19 12° | 220/14 7° | 260/18 -5° | 250/20 -13° | 290/29 -29° | 290/31 -40° | 300/22 -53° |
| HOU | used from 1292 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 160/18 | 160/14 17° | 180/19 12° | 190/11 8° | 260/12 -4° | 260/14 -13° | 310/26 -30° | 310/30 -40° | 320/21 -52° |
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 9,000 feet | from the north (360°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 4,414 ft | 5:55 pm PDT (00:55 UTC) |
| GAB Gabbs, NV | 89 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | no report just now | 4,699 ft | ||||
| CDC Cedar City, UT | 328 nm out, 10 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 18 knots, gusting to 29 | 10+ mi | 8,000 ft | 5,622 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| PGA Page, AZ | 417 nm out, 5 nm southeast 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 |
| RQE Window Rock, AZ | 557 nm out, 24 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 6,742 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| ABQ Albuquerque, NM | 686 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 5,354 ft | 01:11 UTC |
| BFE Brownfield, TX | 924 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 3,264 ft | ||||
| ABI Abilene, TX | 1063 nm out, 23 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,790 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| GRK Fort Hood (Killeen), TX | 1183 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,015 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| TME Houston, TX | 1312 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 165 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| HOU Houston, TX | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,742 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At HOU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:33 am CDT (10:33 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for HOU
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
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 HOU 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at HOU is before sunrise there (7:20 am CDT (12:20 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, William P Hobby Airport.