Santa FE Regional to Grand Junction Regional SAF → GJT
240 nautical miles (277 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 332°, about 324° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 46 min at the quickest height in today's winds (18,000 ft, a 16-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:48 am MDT (12:48 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SAF is VFR, wind calm; GJT is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 15 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: 2 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
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the first 231 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 77 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the last 19 nm of the route.
- 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 last 10 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the last 0 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
- A359 at 38,000 ft, 30 nm northeast, 4:13 am MDT (10:13 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-37. 163 nm along the route, 30 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU185015/TM 1013/FL380/TP A359/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-37
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 15 nm south (185°) of HBU
- Time
- 10:13 UTC
- Height
- at 38,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A359
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-37
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 (ABQ, ALS, FMN, GJT). 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 | 220° at 22 kt | −8 kt | 7 °C | 128 kt | 1 h 52 min | 6:54 am MDT (12:54 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −7 kt | 4 °C | 127 kt | 1 h 53 min | 6:55 am MDT (12:55 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 38 kt | −9 kt | 0 °C | 129 kt | 1 h 52 min | 6:54 am MDT (12:54 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 44 kt | −12 kt | -4 °C | 132 kt | 1 h 49 min | 6:51 am MDT (12:51 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 49 kt | −14 kt | -8 °C | 134 kt | 1 h 47 min | 6:49 am MDT (12:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 53 kt | −16 kt | -11 °C | 136 kt | 1 h 46 min | 6:48 am MDT (12:48 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 63 kt | −8 kt | -21 °C | 128 kt | 1 h 52 min | 6:54 am MDT (12:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 84 kt | −16 kt | -29 °C | 136 kt | 1 h 46 min | 6:48 am MDT (12:48 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 87 kt | −14 kt | -35 °C | 134 kt | 1 h 47 min | 6:49 am MDT (12:49 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 77 kt | −13 kt | -46 °C | 133 kt | 1 h 48 min | 6:50 am MDT (12:50 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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; 58 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| ALS | used from 48 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 240/35 3° | 230/54 -9° | 240/66 -19° | 230/85 -26° | 240/87 -34° | 240/70 -47° | |||
| FMN | used from 96 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| GJT | used from 144 nm out; 72 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 6,348 ft | 4:53 am MDT (10:53 UTC) |
| LAM Los Alamos, NM | 19 nm out, 1 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,170 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 106 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, a few clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 7,663 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| MTJ Montrose, CO | 192 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,758 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| AJZ Delta, CO | 212 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line | reported, no category | from the south (190°) at 3 knots | 8,500 ft | 5,193 ft | 10:55 UTC | |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | destination | VFR Sky: overcast at 7,500 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 4,861 ft | 4:53 am MDT (10:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,663 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At GJT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:48 am MDT (12:48 UTC)
Wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for GJT
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 18 knots, gusting to 27, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC) and 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 19 knots, gusting to 31, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light thunderstorms with rain, a broken layer at 6,000 feet (thunderheads)
The forecast for SAF, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 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 SAF 6:31 pm MDT (00:31 UTC), at GJT 6:38 pm MDT (00:38 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:05 pm MDT (01:05 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at GJT is before sunrise there (7:20 am MDT (13:20 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: Santa FE Regional, Grand Junction Regional.