Santa FE Regional to Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field SAF → BFF
393 nautical miles (453 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 016°, about 008° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 16 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 53-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:42 pm MDT (03:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SAF is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots; BFF is VFR, wind from the east (100°) at 12 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: 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 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 167 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.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 295 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 246 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 SAF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 0 nm west, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 226 nm along the route, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 285 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 21 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 295 nm along the route, 21 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 32 nm east, 5:31 pm MDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 295 nm along the route, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- CRJ7 at 10,000 ft, 0 nm southeast, 5:49 pm MDT (23:49 UTC): remarks: light turbulence, bases above 10,000 ft, vsby 3 miles continuously, during the descent rnav RY20 KSAF. At the departure end, 0 nm southeast 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
- B38M at 37,000 ft, 24 nm east, 4:55 pm MDT (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 30 nm along the route, 24 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AXX UA /OV CIM210040/TM 2255/FL370/TP B38M/TB LGT-CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through AXX
- Where
- 40 nm southwest (210°) of CIM
- Time
- 22:55 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- lgt-cons moderate chop
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 21 nm west, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41. 108 nm along the route, 21 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV KALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/RM BASE REPORTED BELOW MINIMUMS 1/2 SM VIS ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over KALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Remarks
- base reported below minimums 1/2 miles visibility ZDVWC-41
- E145 at 7,400 ft, 18 nm west, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): remarks: reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41. 108 nm along the route, 18 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS/TM 0015/FL074/TP E145/SK VASE UNKN/RM REPORTED BLO MINIMUMS VIS 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- over ALS
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- at 7,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- vase unknown
- Remarks
- reported below minimums visibility 1/2SM ZDVWC-41
- BE9L at 20,000 ft, 37 nm northwest, 6:34 pm MDT (00:34 UTC): light rime icing, -9 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-41. 128 nm along the route, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALS UA /OV ALS330035/TM 0034/FL200/TP BE9L/TA M09/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-41
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALS
- Where
- 35 nm northwest (330°) of ALS
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-41
- CL35 at 43,000 ft, 6 nm west, 6:21 pm MDT (00:21 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-300FT zdvwc. 157 nm along the route, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB250040/TM 0021/FL430/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-300FT ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- 40 nm west (250°) of PUB
- Time
- 00:21 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CL35
- Remarks
- mtw +/-300FT zdvwc
- A21N at 31,000 ft, 29 nm east, 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC): remarks: mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29. 177 nm along the route, 29 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0024/FL310/TP A21N/RM MTN WAVE +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUB
- Where
- over PUB
- Time
- 00:24 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Remarks
- mountain wave +/-10-20KT ZDVWC-29
- B737 at 25,000 ft, 6 nm southwest, 6:29 pm MDT (00:29 UTC): light rime icing, 0 °C, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-29. 207 nm along the route, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV BRK242015/TM 0029/FL250/TP B737/SK TOP280/TA 00/IC LGT RIME/RM DURC ZDVWC-29
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (242°) of BRK
- Time
- 00:29 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- TOP280
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-29
- GLF6 at 40,000 ft, 4 nm north, 6:48 pm MDT (00:48 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. 216 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS340020/TM 0048/FL400/TP GLF6/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 20 nm north (340°) of COS
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF6
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 1 nm north, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. 236 nm along the route, 1 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
9 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 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 5 forecast points nearest it (ABQ, ALS, PUB, DEN, BFF). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 15 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 40 min | 10:06 pm MDT (04:06 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 29 kt | −29 kt | 13 °C | 149 kt | 2 h 38 min | 10:04 pm MDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 30 kt | −29 kt | 7 °C | 149 kt | 2 h 38 min | 10:04 pm MDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −31 kt | 3 °C | 151 kt | 2 h 36 min | 10:02 pm MDT (04:02 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −32 kt | -2 °C | 152 kt | 2 h 35 min | 10:01 pm MDT (04:01 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 40 kt | −33 kt | -7 °C | 153 kt | 2 h 34 min | 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 41 kt | −34 kt | -8 °C | 154 kt | 2 h 33 min | 9:59 pm MDT (03:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 46 kt | −38 kt | -20 °C | 158 kt | 2 h 29 min | 9:55 pm MDT (03:55 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 66 kt | −53 kt | -31 °C | 173 kt | 2 h 16 min | 9:42 pm MDT (03:42 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 68 kt | −46 kt | -37 °C | 166 kt | 2 h 22 min | 9:48 pm MDT (03:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 58 kt | −37 kt | -47 °C | 157 kt | 2 h 30 min | 9:56 pm MDT (03:56 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABQ | used from 0 nm out; 67 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° | ||
| ALS | used from 49 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 148 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| DEN | used from 197 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| BFF | used from 344 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 6,348 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
| SKX Taos, NM | 49 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 7,094 ft | ||||
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 108 nm out, 21 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | 207 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 17,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | 246 nm out, 13 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet, scattered clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 23 knots, gusting to 31 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| CFO Denver, CO | 266 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,515 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| IBM Kimball, NE | 354 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,925 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| BFF Scottsbluff, NE | destination | VFR | from the east (100°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,967 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BFF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:42 pm MDT (03:42 UTC)
Wind from the east-southeast at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 15,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BFF
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain showers
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SAF, the departure
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
- From Sun 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8784 LAKE GEORGE, CO, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 UTC 24 nm from the route, 197 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 13 October · ZDV
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, 207 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at SAF 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC), at BFF 6:17 pm MDT (00:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:45 pm MDT (00:45 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BFF is after sunset there (6:19 pm MDT (00:19 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: Santa FE Regional, Scottsbluff/Western Nebraska Rgnl/Wm B Heilig Field.