Mineta San Jose International to Rifle Garfield County SJC → RIL
680 nautical miles (782 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 075°, about 062° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 4 h at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 50-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:23 pm MDT (05:23 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SJC is VFR, wind from the north (360°) at 10 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 5W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 190 to 280 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 5W VALID UNTIL 0255Z NV FROM 10NNE BAM-40WSW BVL-60SW ELY-10SE OAL-30WNW OAL-10NNE BAM AREA TS MOV FROM 23020KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- SIGMET 1W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm PDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 70 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120055 MKCW WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 1W VALID UNTIL 0255Z CO NM WY AZ UT FROM 40NNW CHE-40WNW TBE-60WNW CME-40N SJN-40ESE MTU-40NNW CHE AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340. WIND GUSTS TO 60KT POSS.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 110 to 330 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 240 to 590 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the last 400 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 400 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 320 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 200 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 490 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 640 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 SJC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L at 18,000 ft, 32 nm south, 4:24 pm PDT (23:24 UTC): moderate turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft, remarks: mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs. 160 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LOL UA /OV BIH300011/TM 2324/FL 180/TP E75L/TB MOD 180-220/RM MTN WAVE /-10 ENTERED BY ZOA FDCS AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LOL
- Where
- 11 nm northwest (300°) of BIH
- Time
- 23:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate from 18,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 10-knot loss of airspeed entered by zoa fdcs
- E75L at 22,000 ft, 42 nm north, 6:04 pm PDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 540 nm along the route, 42 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PUC
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate zlc
- E170 at 10,000 ft, 28 nm south, 4:41 pm PDT (23:41 UTC): moderate turbulence up to 10,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 640 nm along the route, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
GJT UA /OV GJT144009/TM 2341/FL100/TP E170/TB MOD SFC-100/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through GJT
- Where
- 9 nm southeast (144°) of GJT
- Time
- 23:41 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate from the surface to 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- C650 at 40,000 ft, 39 nm east, 4:48 pm PDT (23:48 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV DBL/TM 2348/FL400/TP C650/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- over DBL
- Time
- 23:48 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C650
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-03
- C680A at 16,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 3:59 pm PDT (22:59 UTC): moderate turbulence, scattered clouds above 16,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 44 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV HAERI/TM 2259/FL160/TP C680A/SK SCT160/TB CONS MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- haeri
- Time
- 22:59 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680A
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 16,000 ft
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- C680 at 18,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 3:35 pm PDT (22:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft. At the destination end, 37 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UA /OV ASE230020/TM 2235/FL180/TP C680/TB MOD/RM 180-100
- Report
- a routine report filed through ASE
- Where
- 20 nm southwest (230°) of ASE
- Time
- 22:35 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- from 18,000 ft to 10,000 ft
- C680 descending, 47 nm south, 5:46 pm PDT (00:46 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 47 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MRY UA /OV MRY/TM 0046/FLDURD/TP C680/SK BKN030-TOP035
- Report
- a routine report filed through MRY
- Where
- over MRY
- Time
- 00:46 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 3,500 ft
- C17 at 27,000 ft, 10 nm north, 3:58 pm PDT (22:58 UTC): light rime icing, -25 °C. 450 nm along the route, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DTA UA /OV DTA180010/TM 2258/FL270/TP C17/TA M25/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DTA
- Where
- 10 nm south (180°) of DTA
- Time
- 22:58 UTC
- Height
- at 27,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Temperature
- −25 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 49 nm north, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 480 nm along the route, 49 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PVU UA /OV FFU180025/TM 0103/FL210/TP PRM1/TA M15/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PVU
- Where
- 25 nm south (180°) of FFU
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PRM1
- Temperature
- −15 °C
- Icing
- light rime zlc
- B39M at 31,000 ft, 34 nm north, 3:44 pm PDT (22:44 UTC): remarks: mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc. At the destination end, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR/TM 2244/FL310/TP B39M/RM MTN WAVE +/-15KTS ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- over EKR
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Remarks
- mountain wave a 15-knot loss of airspeed zdvwc
- UAL1791 at 31,000 ft, 30 nm north, 3:40 pm PDT (22:40 UTC): light turbulence, -34 °C, wind 224° at 52 knots. At the destination end, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1791 3959N 10807W 2240 F310 MS34 224/052KT TB LIGHT SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- LJ60 at 15,000 ft, 41 nm south, 5:28 pm PDT (00:28 UTC): light to moderate icing from 16,500 ft to 19,000 ft, -13 °C, remarks: during the descent zdvwc. At the destination end, 41 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MTJ UA /OV MTJ030030/TM 0028/FL150/TP LJ60/TA M13/IC LGT-MOD 190-165/RM DURD ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MTJ
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (030°) of MTJ
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- LJ60
- Temperature
- −13 °C
- Icing
- light to moderate from 19,000 ft to 16,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent zdvwc
- UAL796 at 30,000 ft, 34 nm north, 5:09 pm PDT (00:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 230° at 42 knots. At the destination end, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL796 4004N 10755W 0009 F300 230/042KT TB OCNL LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B38M at 32,000 ft, 12 nm north, 4:32 pm PDT (23:32 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZDVWC-04. At the destination end, 12 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
EEO UA /OV EKR146023/TM 2332/FL320/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT /IC NEG/RM ZDVWC-04
- Report
- a routine report filed through EEO
- Where
- 23 nm southeast (146°) of EKR
- Time
- 23:32 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-04
3 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 6 forecast points nearest it (SFO, 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 19 kt | −12 kt | 6 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 09 min | 12:32 am MDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 22 kt | −15 kt | 5 °C | 135 kt | 5 h 02 min | 12:25 am MDT (06:25 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −20 kt | 0 °C | 140 kt | 4 h 51 min | 12:14 am MDT (06:14 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −23 kt | -4 °C | 143 kt | 4 h 45 min | 12:08 am MDT (06:08 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −26 kt | -8 °C | 146 kt | 4 h 39 min | 12:02 am MDT (06:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 36 kt | −28 kt | -12 °C | 148 kt | 4 h 36 min | 11:59 pm MDT (05:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 37 kt | −29 kt | -13 °C | 149 kt | 4 h 34 min | 11:57 pm MDT (05:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 44 kt | −30 kt | -24 °C | 150 kt | 4 h 32 min | 11:55 pm MDT (05:55 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 60 kt | −47 kt | -27 °C | 167 kt | 4 h 04 min | 11:27 pm MDT (05:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 59 kt | −48 kt | -35 °C | 168 kt | 4 h 03 min | 11:26 pm MDT (05:26 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 57 kt | −50 kt | -44 °C | 170 kt | 4 h | 11:23 pm MDT (05:23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | used from 0 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 220/11 | L/V 5° | 280/7 1° | 270/15 -3° | 290/23 -14° | 310/29 -24° | 280/26 -28° | 250/30 -34° | 250/36 -43° |
| FAT | used from 50 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 180/7 | 170/9 7° | 200/20 3° | 210/27 -3° | 240/27 -14° | 230/38 -24° | 220/57 -27° | 230/42 -33° | 230/41 -44° |
| BIH | used from 100 nm out; 58 nm from the line | L/V | 210/14 6° | 210/20 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 220/32 -24° | 220/63 -27° | 220/56 -35° | 230/50 -44° | |
| ELY | used from 250 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 210/20 4° | 240/21 -1° | 230/37 -13° | 200/58 -25° | 220/73 -27° | 220/73 -36° | 220/69 -44° | ||
| BCE | used from 450 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| GJT | used from 550 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 210/40 11° | 210/46 3° | 210/61 -10° | 210/68 -22° | 220/57 -29° | 230/59 -36° | 240/66 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJC San Jose, CA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 5,500 feet | from the north (360°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 62 ft | 5:53 pm PDT (00:53 UTC) |
| MOD Modesto, CA | 50 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 99 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| MPI Mariposa, CA | 90 nm out, 14 nm south of the line | no report just now | 2,254 ft | ||||
| MMH Mammoth Lakes, CA | 150 nm out, 22 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 19 knots, gusting to 30 | 10+ mi | none | 7,134 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| TPH Tonopah, NV | 230 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (170°) at 21 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | none | 5,430 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| FOM Fillmore, UT | 460 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 600 feet, scattered clouds at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west (260°) at 9 knots | 2.5 mi | 2,100 ft | 4,984 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| PUC Price, UT | 540 nm out, 23 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 5,957 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| GJT Grand Junction, CO | 640 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 13 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,861 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RIL Rifle, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 8 mi | 7,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 6:53 pm MDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,134 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, 11:23 pm MDT (05:23 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for RIL
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- At times between Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind variable at 20 knots, gusting to 35, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 32, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 30, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am MDT (11:00 UTC) and 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for SJC, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
- 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 7 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at SJC 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC), at RIL 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RIL is before sunrise there (7:17 am MDT (13:17 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: Mineta San Jose International, Rifle Garfield County.