Santa FE Regional to Palm Springs International SAF → PSP
525 nautical miles (604 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 261°, about 253° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 09 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 10:56 pm PDT (05:56 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SAF is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24; PSP is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) 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: 3 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 149 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.
- SIGMET W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 168 to 347 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the first 10 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 327 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 89 to 376 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 267 to 267 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 347 to 495 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Near the route, 386 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the last 79 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). 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
- B38M at 14,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 6:13 pm MDT (00:13 UTC): moderate turbulence, light rime icing, 8 °C. At the destination end, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ONT UA /OV ONT053034/TM 0013/FL140/TP B38M/TA 08/TB MODERATE TURBULENCE/IC LIGHT RIME ICE 190 - 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through ONT
- Where
- 34 nm northeast (053°) of ONT
- Time
- 00:13 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- light rime ice at 19,000 ft at 17,000 ft
- 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, 39 nm northeast, 4:55 pm MDT (22:55 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. At the departure end, 39 nm northeast 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
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 25 nm south, 6:15 pm MDT (00:15 UTC): light turbulence above 14,000 ft. 50 nm along the route, 25 nm south 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
- HDJT at 18,000 ft, 20 nm south, 4:38 pm MDT (22:38 UTC): light rime icing from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft, -9 °C, remarks: during the climb out of abq zab/fd. 50 nm along the route, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ABQ UA /OV ABQ285015/TM 2238/FL180/TP HDJT/TA M09/IC LGT RIME 160-175/RM DURC OUT OF ABQ - ZAB/FD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ABQ
- Where
- 15 nm west (285°) of ABQ
- Time
- 22:38 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- HDJT
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 16,000 ft to 17,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb out of abq zab/fd
- G280 at 45,000 ft, 38 nm north, 5:44 pm MDT (23:44 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: zab fdcs. 208 nm along the route, 38 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
INW UA /OV INW015040/TM 2344/FL450/TP G280/TB LGT-MOD/RM ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through INW
- Where
- 40 nm north (015°) of INW
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- G280
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- zab fdcs
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 46 nm south, 5:54 pm MDT (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. 317 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- CRJ2 at 6,200 ft, 3 nm northeast, 3:51 pm MDT (21:51 UTC): overcast above 6,200 ft, remarks: wind shear +10/-5 short final RY21L. 317 nm along the route, 3 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PRC UA /OV PRC030002/TM 2151/FL062/TP CRJ2/SK OVC062/RM WIND SHEAR +10/-5 SHORT FINAL RY21L
- Report
- a routine report filed through PRC
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (030°) of PRC
- Time
- 21:51 UTC
- Height
- at 6,200 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- overcast from 6,200 ft
- Remarks
- wind shear +10/-5 short final RY21L
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 5 forecast points nearest it (ABQ, FMN, PRC, BLH, ONT). 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 | 210° at 29 kt | +18 kt | 9 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 09 min | 10:56 pm PDT (05:56 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 31 kt | +22 kt | 5 °C | 98 kt | 5 h 21 min | 11:08 pm PDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | +26 kt | 1 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 35 min | 11:22 pm PDT (06:22 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +30 kt | -3 °C | 90 kt | 5 h 50 min | 11:37 pm PDT (06:37 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 46 kt | +34 kt | -7 °C | 86 kt | 6 h 06 min | 11:53 pm PDT (06:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 50 kt | +37 kt | -9 °C | 83 kt | 6 h 20 min | 12:07 am PDT (07:07 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 61 kt | +49 kt | -20 °C | 71 kt | 7 h 24 min | 1:11 am PDT (08:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 68 kt | +56 kt | -28 °C | 64 kt | 8 h 12 min | 1:59 am PDT (08:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 70 kt | +61 kt | -34 °C | 59 kt | 8 h 54 min | 2:41 am PDT (09:41 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 59 kt | +52 kt | -46 °C | 68 kt | 7 h 43 min | 1:30 am PDT (08:30 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; 31 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° | ||
| FMN | used from 99 nm out; 90 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° | ||
| PRC | used from 198 nm out; 93 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| BLH | used from 396 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| ONT | used from 495 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAF Santa Fe, NM | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 16 knots, gusting to 24 | 7 mi | 7,000 ft | 6,348 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
| AEG Albuquerque, NM | 40 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 10,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 16 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 5,837 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| GNT Grants, NM | 89 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 20 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | none | 6,536 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| XNI Zuni, NM | 139 nm out, 11 nm south of the line | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,371 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| INW Winslow, AZ | 228 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 27 knots, gusting to 38 | 10+ mi | none | 4,941 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| FLG Flagstaff, AZ | 277 nm out, 21 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the south-southwest (210°) at 15 knots, gusting to 25 | 3 mi | 700 ft | 7,014 ft | 00:40 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 317 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,600 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | 2,600 ft | 5,045 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HII Lake Havasu City, AZ | 406 nm out, 18 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 4,200 feet | from the south (170°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 4,200 ft | 782 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| TNP Twentynine Palms, CA | 495 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | no report just now | 1,888 ft | ||||
| PSP Palm Springs, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 476 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PSP when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:56 pm PDT (05:56 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PSP
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet
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
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 24 nm from the route, 416 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 12 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SAF 6:33 pm MDT (00:33 UTC), at PSP 6:16 pm PDT (01:16 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:41 pm PDT (01:41 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PSP is before sunrise there (6:48 am PDT (13:48 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, Palm Springs International.