Plan a flight · Mon 7:02 am PDT (14:02 UTC)

San Francisco International to Rifle Garfield County SFO → RIL

696 nautical miles (801 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 076°, about 062° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 44-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:17 pm MDT (18:17 UTC). Right now SFO is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 5 knots; RIL is VFR, wind calm. 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 239 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 SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 467 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 259 to 686 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 last 159 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Near the route, 646 nm along 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, 16 nm north, 6:32 am PDT (13:32 UTC): moderate rime icing, -15 °C. 487 nm along the route, 16 nm north 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
CRJ7 at 16,000 ft, 40 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, 40 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, 42 nm north, 5:40 am PDT (12:40 UTC): moderate rime icing, -13 °C. 517 nm along the route, 42 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
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, 37 nm south, 5:32 am PDT (12:32 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 238° at 14 knots. 90 nm along the route, 37 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, 5 nm northeast, 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, 5 nm northeast 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, 27 nm north, 6:50 am PDT (13:50 UTC): light rime icing, -3 °C. 497 nm along the route, 27 nm north 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
E75L at 17,000 ft, 46 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, 46 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
PC12 at 5,000 ft, 21 nm south, 4:23 am PDT (11:23 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. 656 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GJT UA /OV GJT/TM 1123/FL050/TP PC12/TB LGT-MOD/IC NEG/RM DURD. ZDVWC
```
Report
a routine report filed through GJT
Where
over GJT
Time
11:23 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Turbulence
light to moderate
Icing
none
Remarks
during the descent zdvwc

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 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 7 forecast points nearest it (SFO, SAC, FAT, BIH, ELY, BCE, 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
7,500 ft	210° at 17 kt	−11 kt	2 °C	131 kt	5 h 19 min	1:21 pm MDT (19:21 UTC)
9,500 ft	220° at 17 kt	−12 kt	0 °C	132 kt	5 h 16 min	1:18 pm MDT (19:18 UTC)
11,500 ft	220° at 22 kt	−17 kt	-3 °C	137 kt	5 h 05 min	1:07 pm MDT (19:07 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	−19 kt	-6 °C	139 kt	5 h	1:02 pm MDT (19:02 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 26 kt	−21 kt	-10 °C	141 kt	4 h 56 min	12:58 pm MDT (18:58 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 29 kt	−23 kt	-14 °C	143 kt	4 h 52 min	12:54 pm MDT (18:54 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 29 kt	−24 kt	-15 °C	144 kt	4 h 50 min	12:52 pm MDT (18:52 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	240° at 34 kt	−30 kt	-24 °C	150 kt	4 h 38 min	12:40 pm MDT (18:40 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 48 kt	−41 kt	-31 °C	161 kt	4 h 19 min	12:21 pm MDT (18:21 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	230° at 52 kt	−44 kt	-37 °C	164 kt	4 h 15 min	12:17 pm MDT (18:17 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	230° at 53 kt	−43 kt	-44 °C	163 kt	4 h 16 min	12:18 pm MDT (18:18 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
SFO	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	090/9	050/12 4°	010/17 -2°	350/34 -3°	360/70 -11°	360/75 -22°	350/57 -38°	330/37 -42°	280/25 -44°
SAC	used from 50 nm out; 47 nm from the line	L/V	L/V 4°	340/9 -4°	340/22 -8°	360/71 -12°	360/82 -23°	350/58 -37°	310/30 -40°	270/25 -44°
FAT	used from 99 nm out; 79 nm from the line	140/11	180/15 3°	150/14 -3°	200/14 -6°	240/17 -16°	320/25 -23°	270/22 -31°	240/29 -37°	230/36 -44°
BIH	used from 149 nm out; 57 nm from the line		L/V	020/6 0°	140/7 -7°	210/31 -16°	230/34 -26°	220/43 -30°	220/52 -36°	220/46 -43°
ELY	used from 249 nm out; 98 nm from the line			210/34 1°	220/40 -4°	220/39 -17°	210/51 -24°	220/65 -30°	220/60 -37°	220/56 -44°
BCE	used from 448 nm out; 86 nm from the line				200/32 -2°	210/57 -15°	220/71 -22°	220/69 -30°	220/64 -38°	220/67 -44°
GJT	used from 547 nm out; 88 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
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)
LVK Livermore, CA	30 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the east (100°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	399 ft	13:53 UTC
MOD Modesto, CA	70 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the west-northwest (290°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	99 ft	13:53 UTC
HTH Hawthorne, NV	189 nm out, 15 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
FOM Fillmore, UT	477 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	VFR	from the east-northeast (070°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	4,984 ft	13:35 UTC
PUC Price, UT	557 nm out, 19 nm north 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
GJT Grand Junction, CO	656 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: overcast at 11,000 feet	from the east-southeast (120°) at 15 knots	10+ mi	11,000 ft	4,861 ft	13:53 UTC
RIL Rifle, CO	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet	calm	10+ mi	7,500 ft	5,536 ft	7:53 am MDT (13:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 5,957 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RIL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:17 pm MDT (18:17 UTC)

Wind from the west at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 13,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RIL

From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
At times between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 13,000 feet
From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 13,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 9:00 pm MDT (03:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
From Tue 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
30% chance between Tue 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Tue 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
30% chance between Tue 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 1,500 feet

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

6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 23 nm from the route, 119 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at SFO 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC), at RIL 6:35 pm MDT (00:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm MDT (01:02 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

Radar now, the Pacific Southwest · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Rifle Garfield County.