San Francisco International to March Arb Airport SFO → RIV
335 nautical miles (386 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 130°, about 116° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 27 min at the quickest height in today's winds (24,000 ft, a 17-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:06 am PDT (13:06 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SFO is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots; RIV is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 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
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 197 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 99 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 49 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
- A35K at 32,000 ft, 32 nm north, 1:39 am PDT (08:39 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: fdcs zoa. At the departure end, 32 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
OAK UA /OV OAK348024/TM 0839/FL320/TP A35K/TB MOD CHOP/RM FDCS ZOA
- Report
- a routine report filed through OAK
- Where
- 24 nm north (348°) of OAK
- Time
- 08:39 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A35K
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- fdcs zoa
- B744 at 1,700 ft, 37 nm southwest, 2:24 am PDT (09:24 UTC): a few clouds above 1,700 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L lax. 296 nm along the route, 37 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 0924/FL017/TP B744/SK FEW017/RM DURD RY25L LAX
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 09:24 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B744
- Sky
- a few clouds from 1,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L lax
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 4 forecast points nearest it (SFO, FAT, WJF, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 150° at 8 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 2 h 58 min | 6:37 am PDT (13:37 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 190° at 14 kt | +7 kt | 4 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 58 min | 6:37 am PDT (13:37 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 190° at 14 kt | +7 kt | 1 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 58 min | 6:37 am PDT (13:37 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 200° at 12 kt | +6 kt | -2 °C | 114 kt | 2 h 56 min | 6:35 am PDT (13:35 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 12 kt | −1 kt | -4 °C | 121 kt | 2 h 46 min | 6:25 am PDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 240° at 13 kt | −5 kt | -7 °C | 125 kt | 2 h 41 min | 6:20 am PDT (13:20 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 260° at 14 kt | −8 kt | -10 °C | 128 kt | 2 h 37 min | 6:16 am PDT (13:16 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 270° at 16 kt | −12 kt | -13 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 32 min | 6:11 am PDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 270° at 17 kt | −13 kt | -14 °C | 133 kt | 2 h 31 min | 6:10 am PDT (13:10 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 20 kt | −17 kt | -23 °C | 137 kt | 2 h 27 min | 6:06 am PDT (13:06 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 29 kt | −13 kt | -32 °C | 133 kt | 2 h 31 min | 6:10 am PDT (13:10 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 39 kt | −8 kt | -38 °C | 128 kt | 2 h 37 min | 6:16 am PDT (13:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 43 kt | −4 kt | -45 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 42 min | 6:21 am PDT (13:21 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° |
| FAT | used from 49 nm out; 72 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° |
| WJF | used from 197 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 210/26 4° | 210/28 2° | 230/23 -4° | 240/28 -13° | 220/47 -23° | 220/57 -30° | 220/65 -37° | 220/59 -45° | |
| ONT | used from 296 nm out; 4 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
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 2,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 2:56 am PDT (09:56 UTC) |
| SJC San Jose, CA | 30 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a few clouds at 9,500 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 62 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| SNS Salinas, CA | 69 nm out, 20 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (010°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 84 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| KIC King City, CA | 99 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 374 ft | ||||
| BFL Bakersfield, CA | 207 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 509 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| TSP Tehachapi, CA | 237 nm out, 16 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,100 feet, scattered clouds at 3,300 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 4,001 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| PMD Palmdale, CA | 276 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,300 feet, a broken layer at 4,200 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 2,300 ft | 2,542 ft | 10:27 UTC |
| ONT Ontario, CA | 316 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 1,700 ft | 944 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| RIV Riverside, CA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,700 ft | 1,536 ft | 2:55 am PDT (09:55 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,001 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RIV when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:06 am PDT (13:06 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 15, showers nearby, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet and more above VFR
At times between Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 15, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet marginal VFR
Changing between Mon 6:00 am PDT (13:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, light rain, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet and more above marginal VFR
The whole forecast for RIV
- From Sun 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 15, showers nearby, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet and more above
- Changing between Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, light rain, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet and more above
- Changing between Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) and 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet and more above
- At times between Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 10 knots, gusting to 15, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- Changing between Mon 6:00 am PDT (13:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC) to: wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, light rain, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet and more above
- Changing between Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC) to: wind from the south at 9 knots, showers nearby, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet
- Changing between Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC) and 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC) to: wind from the south at 10 knots, showers nearby, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC) and 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- Changing between Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC) and 9:00 pm PDT (04:00 UTC) to: wind light and variable, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet
The forecast for SFO, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 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
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 23 nm from the route, 316 nm along the route · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at SFO 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC), at RIV 6:17 pm PDT (01:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm PDT (01:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIV is before sunrise there (6:51 am PDT (13:51 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, March Arb Airport.