Plan a flight · Sun 8:33 pm PDT (03:33 UTC)

Sacramento International to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International SMF → CVG

1,714 nautical miles (1,972 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 077°, about 064° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 16 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 47-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:49 am EDT (13:49 UTC). Right now SMF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots; CVG is VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 3 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: 620 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 W12W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 9:55 pm PDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 199 to 309 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 120255
MKCW WST 120255
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12W
VALID UNTIL 0455Z
NV
FROM 40SSE TWF-10W ELY-30SE OAL-30W OAL-70WSW TWF-40SSE TWF
AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
```
AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 90 nm of the route.
AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 140 to 628 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 219 to 538 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 419 to 847 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 438 to 887 nm out.
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 route from 528 to 757 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 578 nm along the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 route from 877 to 1286 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 120 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 SMF.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

E75L at 22,000 ft, 7 nm south, 6:04 pm PDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 498 nm along the route, 7 nm south 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
S22T at 14,000 ft, 12 nm south, 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 508 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUC
Where
15 nm north (360°) of PUC
Time
01:23 UTC
Height
at 14,000 ft
Aircraft
S22T
Temperature
−16 °C
Icing
moderate rime zlc
E75L at 28,000 ft, 14 nm south, 6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 678 nm along the route, 14 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
```
Report
a routine report filed through EEO
Where
36 nm east (085°) of EKR
Time
01:31 UTC
Height
at 28,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
ZDVWC-03
CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 30 nm north, 5:47 pm PDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 727 nm along the route, 30 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through EGE
Where
52 nm north (010°) of RLG
Time
00:47 UTC
Height
at 19,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ2
Turbulence
cosn moderate chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-13
GLF4 at 25,000 ft, 44 nm south, 7:05 pm PDT (02:05 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 747 nm along the route, 44 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV FQF250040/TM 0205/FL250/TP GLF4/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
40 nm west (250°) of FQF
Time
02:05 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF4
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-05
B738 at 23,000 ft, 22 nm south, 7:34 pm PDT (02:34 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 757 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0234/FL230/TP B738/TB MOD /RM DURC ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
30 nm west (270°) of DVV
Time
02:34 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
moderate
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-05
BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 22 nm south, 6:30 pm PDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 757 nm along the route, 22 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DVV270030/TM 0130/FL240/TP BCS1/TB MOD 220-240/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
30 nm west (270°) of DVV
Time
01:30 UTC
Height
at 24,000 ft
Aircraft
BCS1
Turbulence
moderate from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-05
B38M descending, 21 nm north, 6:28 pm PDT (01:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the descent runway 35L rno. 90 nm along the route, 21 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RNO UA /OV KRNO167009/TM 0128/FLUNKN/TP B38M/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM DURD RY35L RNO
```
Report
a routine report filed through RNO
Where
9 nm south (167°) of KRNO
Time
01:28 UTC
Height
height not given
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
occasional light chop
Remarks
during the descent runway 35L rno
PC12 at 25,000 ft, 26 nm south, 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC): light rime icing, -16 °C, remarks: during the descent zlc. 429 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTA UA /OV DTA360010/TM 0135/FL250/TP PC12/TA M16/IC LGT RIME /RM DURD /ZLC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTA
Where
10 nm north (360°) of DTA
Time
01:35 UTC
Height
at 25,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Temperature
−16 °C
Icing
light rime
Remarks
during the descent zlc
B737 at 16,000 ft, 48 nm north, 5:45 pm PDT (00:45 UTC): no turbulence, light rime icing from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft, 8 °C, remarks: during the climb. 438 nm along the route, 48 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
SLC UA /OV TCH230020/TM 0045/FL160/TP B737/TA 8/TB NEG/IC LT RIME 130-170/RM DURC
```
Report
a routine report filed through SLC
Where
20 nm southwest (230°) of TCH
Time
00:45 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Temperature
8 °C
Turbulence
none
Icing
lt rime from 13,000 ft to 17,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb
PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 4 nm south, 6:03 pm PDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 448 nm along the route, 4 nm south 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
GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 26 nm south, 7:24 pm PDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 508 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
```
Report
a routine report filed through PUC
Where
28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
Time
02:24 UTC
Height
at 45,000 ft
Aircraft
GLF6
Turbulence
continuous light chop
Remarks
ZDVWC-03
CL35 at 41,000 ft, 17 nm south, 7:40 pm PDT (02:40 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05. 708 nm along the route, 17 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EGE UA /OV RLG/TM 0240/FL410/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-50FT +/-15KT ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through EGE
Where
over RLG
Time
02:40 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
CL35
Remarks
mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05
B738 at 32,000 ft, 31 nm south, 6:42 pm PDT (01:42 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 30,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 708 nm along the route, 31 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EGE UA /OV RLG160014/TM 0142/FL320/TP B738/TB LGT-MOD BLO 300/RM DURC ZDVWC-05
```
Report
a routine report filed through EGE
Where
14 nm south (160°) of RLG
Time
01:42 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
light to moderate below 30,000 ft
Remarks
during the climb ZDVWC-05

4 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 16 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, GJT, DEN, GLD, GRI, OMA, MKC, COU, BRL, SPI, IND, CVG). 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	240° at 20 kt	−17 kt	21 °C	137 kt	12 h 31 min	12:04 pm EDT (16:04 UTC)
7,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	−17 kt	11 °C	137 kt	12 h 31 min	12:04 pm EDT (16:04 UTC)
9,500 ft	240° at 19 kt	−17 kt	7 °C	137 kt	12 h 31 min	12:04 pm EDT (16:04 UTC)
11,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	−18 kt	3 °C	138 kt	12 h 25 min	11:58 am EDT (15:58 UTC)
13,500 ft	240° at 22 kt	−19 kt	-1 °C	139 kt	12 h 20 min	11:53 am EDT (15:53 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	−21 kt	-5 °C	141 kt	12 h 09 min	11:42 am EDT (15:42 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−23 kt	-9 °C	143 kt	11 h 59 min	11:32 am EDT (15:32 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 28 kt	−24 kt	-10 °C	144 kt	11 h 54 min	11:27 am EDT (15:27 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	230° at 33 kt	−28 kt	-21 °C	148 kt	11 h 35 min	11:08 am EDT (15:08 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	240° at 41 kt	−38 kt	-31 °C	158 kt	10 h 51 min	10:24 am EDT (14:24 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	250° at 47 kt	−47 kt	-37 °C	167 kt	10 h 16 min	9:49 am EDT (13:49 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	250° at 46 kt	−47 kt	-46 °C	167 kt	10 h 16 min	9:49 am EDT (13:49 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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
SAC	used from 0 nm out; 26 nm from the line	110/6	L/V 4°	010/11 -2°	350/11 -7°	340/24 -16°	360/44 -23°	330/24 -30°	270/21 -35°	230/23 -43°
RNO	used from 50 nm out; 35 nm from the line		010/9	320/10 -2°	210/23 -9°	210/34 -19°	220/36 -25°	230/31 -29°	230/41 -33°	230/38 -42°
BAM	used from 199 nm out; 71 nm from the line			310/7 0°	270/19 -7°	200/38 -17°	190/49 -28°	220/69 -29°	220/63 -33°	230/48 -41°
ELY	used from 249 nm out; 47 nm from the line			200/39 3°	210/27 -2°	210/45 -15°	220/56 -24°	210/60 -28°	210/63 -34°	220/61 -43°
SLC	used from 399 nm out; 62 nm from the line		200/5	230/8 2°	220/20 -2°	210/40 -12°	190/53 -25°	210/62 -30°	220/69 -34°	220/64 -43°
GJT	used from 548 nm out; 72 nm from the line			210/43 7°	230/45 1°	220/49 -12°	220/62 -22°	220/59 -28°	230/60 -33°	220/55 -45°
DEN	used from 698 nm out; 71 nm from the line			240/21 14°	250/44 6°	220/49 -8°	220/49 -21°	230/54 -30°	240/57 -35°	240/49 -45°
GLD	used from 847 nm out; 80 nm from the line		230/49	230/42 15°	220/26 8°	240/18 -7°	230/27 -21°	240/62 -30°	240/61 -35°	250/57 -47°
GRI	used from 997 nm out; 69 nm from the line		230/35 21°	230/23 13°	220/20 7°	240/25 -8°	240/37 -20°	250/49 -33°	260/57 -38°	260/58 -47°
OMA	used from 1146 nm out; 68 nm from the line	220/47	240/33 19°	250/18 11°	230/17 6°	260/29 -8°	250/33 -19°	250/51 -33°	260/61 -40°	270/62 -49°
MKC	used from 1196 nm out; 69 nm from the line	220/44	250/28 18°	250/18 13°	240/12 6°	280/24 -6°	240/34 -18°	260/47 -30°	260/51 -40°	270/58 -50°
COU	used from 1295 nm out; 82 nm from the line	230/31	230/30 15°	260/16 11°	270/14 6°	260/24 -6°	270/27 -18°	270/37 -32°	280/49 -41°	290/56 -51°
BRL	used from 1345 nm out; 65 nm from the line	230/24	240/29 15°	290/16 10°	280/15 4°	260/23 -7°	260/32 -19°	260/36 -33°	280/48 -41°	280/59 -52°
SPI	used from 1395 nm out; 58 nm from the line	220/21	250/23 16°	260/27 9°	270/14 6°	270/23 -7°	270/31 -19°	270/28 -33°	290/48 -42°	300/55 -52°
IND	used from 1545 nm out; 68 nm from the line	290/16	310/20 16°	320/21 10°	330/13 3°	300/25 -7°	320/32 -19°	330/46 -34°	320/61 -43°	320/63 -50°
CVG	used from 1694 nm out; 10 nm from the line	320/18	350/32 16°	350/35 10°	350/30 3°	330/30 -7°	340/44 -20°	340/58 -35°	330/72 -41°	320/36 -49°

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
SMF Sacramento, CA	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	26 ft	7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC)
TRK Truckee, CA	70 nm out, 23 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,900 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	5,904 ft	03:15 UTC
TMT Austin, NV	209 nm out, 6 nm north of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet Weather: light rain	from the north (010°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	5,000 ft	5,735 ft	03:15 UTC
PVU Provo, UT	468 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain	from the east (100°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	6,500 ft	4,496 ft	03:18 UTC
EEO Meeker, CO	638 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	6,415 ft	02:53 UTC
FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO	777 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the northeast (050°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	5,020 ft	02:56 UTC
CSB Cambridge, NE	997 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south (170°) at 10 knots, gusting to 15	10+ mi	none	2,414 ft	03:15 UTC
FBY Fairbury, NE	1136 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line	no report just now				1,478 ft
STJ St Joseph, MO	1236 nm out, 22 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	826 ft	02:53 UTC
SPI Springfield, IL	1475 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	597 ft	02:52 UTC
BAK Columbus, IN	1654 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	656 ft	01:45 UTC
CVG Covington, KY	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, scattered clouds at 3,200 feet	from the west (280°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	896 ft	10:52 pm EDT (02:52 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 CVG when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:49 am EDT (13:49 UTC)

Wind light and variable, visibility 1 mile, mist, scattered clouds at 200 feet IFR

The whole forecast for CVG

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 3 miles, mist, a few clouds at 2,500 feet
From Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 1 mile, mist, scattered clouds at 200 feet
At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for SMF, the departure

From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 November · ZOA
6/6740 SACRAMENTO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the departure end · air shows/sports · ended 11 October · ZOA
6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID

Daylight

Sunset at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC), at CVG 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 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 now, the northern 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: Sacramento International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International.