San Francisco International to Lincoln Airport SFO → LNK
1,203 nautical miles (1,384 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 073°, about 059° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 56-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC). Right now SFO is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 5 knots; LNK is VFR, wind from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19. 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 W28W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the south at 35 knots, until 8:55 am PDT (15:55 UTC). Near the route, 348 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 121355 MKCW WST 121355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 28W VALID UNTIL 1555Z UT NV FROM 30SSW ELY-20E ILC-70NNE LAS-60ENE BTY-30SSW ELY AREA TS MOV FROM 20035KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 248 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 99 to 169 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 219 to 716 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 219 to 775 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 576 to 934 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 716 to 835 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 20 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 SFO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 12 nm south, 6:32 am PDT (13:32 UTC): moderate rime icing, -15 °C. 487 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA038010/TM 1332/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M15/IC MOD RIME 140-190 TOP 200/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (038°) of DTA
- Time
- 13:32 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Temperature
- −15 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime from 14,000 ft to 19,000 ft top 200/ZLC
- A319 at 19,000 ft, 37 nm north, 6:53 am PDT (13:53 UTC): moderate turbulence, moderate rime icing, -12 °C, wind 234° at 38 knots, remarks: during the descent. 507 nm along the route, 37 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV FFU/TM 1353/FL190/TP A319/TA M12/WV 234038/TB MOD TURB/IC MOD RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- over FFU
- Time
- 13:53 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Temperature
- −12 °C
- Wind
- from 234° at 38 knots
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Icing
- moderate rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
- CRJ7 at 16,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:13 am PDT (13:13 UTC): moderate rime icing from 15,000 ft to 19,000 ft, -13 °C. 507 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV FFU165026/TM 1313/FL160/TP CRJ7/SK TOPS 196/TA M13/IC MOD RIME 150-190/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 26 nm south (165°) of FFU
- Time
- 13:13 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- tops 19,600 ft
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime 150-190/ZLC
- PC12 at 17,000 ft, 12 nm north, 5:40 am PDT (12:40 UTC): moderate rime icing, -13 °C. 517 nm along the route, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV FFU134026/TM 1240/FL170/TP PC12/TA M13 /IC MOD RIME/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 26 nm southeast (134°) of FFU
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime/zlc
- B738 descending, 6 nm southeast, 6:01 am PDT (13:01 UTC): moderate turbulence from 11,000 ft to 20,000 ft. 815 nm along the route, 6 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV 40NW DEN/TM 1301/FLDURD/TP B738/TB MOD 200-110
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40NW den
- Time
- 13:01 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate from 20,000 ft to 11,000 ft
- B737 at 21,000 ft, 20 nm south, 7:05 am PDT (14:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: mountain wave a 30-knot gain of airspeed from 25,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent. 825 nm along the route, 20 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN310025/TM 1405/FL210/TP B737/TB MOD TURB/RM MTN WAVE +30KTS 250-150 DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm northwest (310°) of DEN
- Time
- 14:05 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 30-knot gain of airspeed from 25,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent
- B737 at 16,000 ft, 6 nm southwest, 5:23 am PDT (12:23 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the descent. 825 nm along the route, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320040/TM 1223/FL160/TP B737/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 40 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 12:23 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B38M at 12,000 ft, 46 nm south, 7:07 am PDT (14:07 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft. 865 nm along the route, 46 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN090025/TM 1407/FL120/TP B38M/TB MOD/RM 110-120
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm east (090°) of DEN
- Time
- 14:07 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 11,000 ft to 12,000 ft
- B789 at 39,000 ft, 40 nm northwest, 6:37 am PDT (13:37 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: entered by zoa fdcs. At the departure end, 40 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
STS UA /OV PYE218013/TM 1337/FL390/TP B789/TB LGT-MOD/RM ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through STS
- Where
- 13 nm southwest (218°) of PYE
- Time
- 13:37 UTC
- Height
- at 39,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B789
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- entered by zoa fdcs
- UAL1806 at 39,000 ft, 42 nm south, 5:32 am PDT (12:32 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 238° at 14 knots. 89 nm along the route, 42 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1806 3722N 12024W 1232 F390 238/014KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B737 at 15,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 5:12 am PDT (12:12 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: continuous light turbulence occasional moderate chop entered by zoa fdcs. 149 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
FAT UA /OV FMG150080/TM 1212/FL150/TP B737/TB LGT/RM CONS LGT TURB OCNL MOD CHOP ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through FAT
- Where
- 80 nm southeast (150°) of FMG
- Time
- 12:12 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- continuous light turbulence occasional moderate chop entered by zoa fdcs
- B190 at 14,000 ft, 4 nm east, 6:50 am PDT (13:50 UTC): light rime icing, -3 °C. 497 nm along the route, 4 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA034030/TM 1350/FL140/TP B190/TA M03/IC LGT RIME/ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (034°) of DTA
- Time
- 13:50 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B190
- Temperature
- −3 °C
- Icing
- light rime/zlc
- A321 at 14,000 ft, 46 nm north, 6:15 am PDT (13:15 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb. 517 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV FFU340010/TM 1315/FL140/TP A321/TB CONT LGT-OCNL MOD TURB/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 10 nm north (340°) of FFU
- Time
- 13:15 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- continuous lgt-ocnl moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E75L at 17,000 ft, 17 nm north, 5:20 am PDT (12:20 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing from 15,500 ft to 18,000 ft, -14 °C, remarks: during the descent. 517 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
SLC UA /OV FFU140020/TM 1220/FL170/TP E75L/TA M14/TB LGTCHOP/IC LGT RIME 180-155/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through SLC
- Where
- 20 nm southeast (140°) of FFU
- Time
- 12:20 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Temperature
- −14 °C
- Turbulence
- lgtchop
- Icing
- light rime from 18,000 ft to 15,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
11 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 12 forecast points nearest it (SFO, SAC, RNO, BIH, ELY, SLC, GJT, DEN, BFF, GLD, GRI, OMA). 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 | 260° at 10 kt | −10 kt | 19 °C | 130 kt | 9 h 15 min | 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 13 kt | −11 kt | 7 °C | 131 kt | 9 h 11 min | 6:26 pm CDT (23:26 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 16 kt | −13 kt | 4 °C | 133 kt | 9 h 03 min | 6:18 pm CDT (23:18 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | −17 kt | 0 °C | 137 kt | 8 h 47 min | 6:02 pm CDT (23:02 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −20 kt | -4 °C | 140 kt | 8 h 36 min | 5:51 pm CDT (22:51 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −22 kt | -8 °C | 142 kt | 8 h 28 min | 5:43 pm CDT (22:43 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −24 kt | -12 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 21 min | 5:36 pm CDT (22:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 31 kt | −25 kt | -13 °C | 145 kt | 8 h 18 min | 5:33 pm CDT (22:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 40 kt | −34 kt | -24 °C | 154 kt | 7 h 49 min | 5:04 pm CDT (22:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 57 kt | −51 kt | -32 °C | 171 kt | 7 h 02 min | 4:17 pm CDT (21:17 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 62 kt | −56 kt | -38 °C | 176 kt | 6 h 50 min | 4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 62 kt | −55 kt | -45 °C | 175 kt | 6 h 52 min | 4:07 pm CDT (21:07 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 010/6 | 360/13 5° | 360/17 -3° | 350/39 -2° | 350/56 -11° | 350/57 -24° | 350/59 -40° | 340/50 -46° | 320/30 -47° |
| SAC | used from 50 nm out; 44 nm from the line | L/V | 320/8 4° | 330/12 -3° | 350/25 -6° | 350/63 -12° | 340/65 -24° | 340/60 -40° | 340/45 -45° | 290/24 -45° |
| RNO | used from 99 nm out; 78 nm from the line | L/V | 280/12 -4° | 260/15 -10° | 340/47 -17° | 340/75 -25° | 330/47 -37° | 280/20 -40° | 240/24 -42° | |
| BIH | used from 149 nm out; 67 nm from the line | L/V | 340/7 -3° | L/V -8° | 250/15 -17° | 330/30 -24° | 270/23 -34° | 230/35 -39° | 230/39 -44° | |
| ELY | used from 248 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 210/17 0° | 220/30 -6° | 190/50 -19° | 200/56 -28° | 210/76 -32° | 210/63 -37° | 210/59 -43° | ||
| SLC | used from 447 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 180/7 | 200/22 2° | 200/30 -4° | 210/47 -16° | 200/73 -27° | 210/81 -32° | 210/71 -37° | 210/55 -43° | |
| GJT | used from 596 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 190/30 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/50 -13° | 220/69 -22° | 220/81 -30° | 230/84 -39° | 230/88 -47° | ||
| DEN | used from 745 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 230/7 11° | 230/13 4° | 230/40 -9° | 230/48 -20° | 240/66 -32° | 240/88 -38° | 230/100 -47° | ||
| BFF | used from 894 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 310/15 | 280/27 8° | 250/27 2° | 230/30 -12° | 240/52 -22° | 250/66 -32° | 240/78 -37° | 240/76 -43° | |
| GLD | used from 944 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 240/22 | 250/24 13° | 250/39 6° | 230/42 -8° | 230/55 -21° | 240/87 -30° | 240/96 -36° | 250/93 -48° | |
| GRI | used from 1044 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 270/26 19° | 230/33 13° | 230/39 8° | 230/43 -9° | 240/55 -21° | 250/76 -28° | 260/84 -36° | 260/68 -47° | |
| OMA | used from 1193 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 210/23 | 240/34 20° | 230/40 14° | 220/43 7° | 240/38 -8° | 250/47 -21° | 270/70 -29° | 270/79 -36° | 270/68 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO San Francisco, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 feet | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 6:56 am PDT (13:56 UTC) |
| SCK Stockton, CA | 60 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 32 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| HTH Hawthorne, NV | 189 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 4,230 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| ELY Ely, NV | 368 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,700 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 6,259 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 557 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 8,500 feet | from the east (100°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 8,500 ft | 5,957 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| EEO Meeker, CO | 696 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 6,415 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 825 nm out, 1 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 8 knots | 8 mi | none | 5,020 ft | 13:56 UTC |
| STK Sterling, CO | 904 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 4,037 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| LXN Lexington, NE | 1063 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 14 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 2,412 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 1133 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| LNK Lincoln, NE | destination | VFR | from the south (190°) at 12 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 1,218 ft | 8:54 am CDT (13:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,415 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At LNK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for LNK
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the south at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for SFO, the departure
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 9,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 SFO 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC), at LNK 6:51 pm CDT (23:51 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm CDT (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: San Francisco International, Lincoln Airport.
