Plan a flight · Sun 10:45 pm PDT (05:45 UTC)

Sacramento International to Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field SMF → MKC

1,257 nautical miles (1,446 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 080°, about 067° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 34 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:19 am CDT (13:19 UTC). 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: 6 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 W14W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 28,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm PDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 180 to 289 nm out.
as issued
```
WSUS33 KKCI 120455
MKCW WST 120455
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 14W
VALID UNTIL 0655Z
NV
FROM 40NW BVL-20WNW ELY-20SSE OAL-40WNW OAL-50NE BAM-40NW BVL
AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL280.
```
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 190 to 589 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 200 to 668 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 289 to 858 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the route from 459 to 878 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 589 to 758 nm out.
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 last 379 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

urgent B737 at 7,600 ft, 47 nm north, 8:22 pm PDT (03:22 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final. 668 nm along the route, 47 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HDN UUA /OV HDN/TM 0322/FL076/TP B737/RM LLWS 45 KTS CROSSWIND ON FINAL
```
Report
an urgent report filed through HDN
Where
over HDN
Time
03:22 UTC
Height
at 7,600 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final
urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 29 nm south, 9:30 pm PDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 688 nm along the route, 29 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
```
Report
an urgent report filed through ASE
Where
over ASE
Time
04:30 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Remarks
low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 32 nm south, 8:11 pm PDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 638 nm along the route, 32 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2479 3910N 10753W 0311 F360 231/049KT TB SMTH IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
BE20 at 16,000 ft, 10 nm south, 8:28 pm PDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 648 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIL UA /OV RIL/TM 0328/FL160/TP BE20/TA M03/TB LGT CHOP/IC LGT RIME/RM ZDVWC-11
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIL
Where
over RIL
Time
03:28 UTC
Height
at 16,000 ft
Aircraft
BE20
Temperature
−3 °C
Turbulence
light chop
Icing
light rime
Remarks
ZDVWC-11
E170 at 22,500 ft, 35 nm south, 10:06 pm PDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 748 nm along the route, 35 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
Time
05:06 UTC
Height
at 22,500 ft
Aircraft
E170
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
A320 descending, 7 nm north, 8:19 pm PDT (03:19 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 788 nm along the route, 7 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0319/FLDURD/TP A320/TB NEG BLO 100
```
Report
a routine report filed through DEN
Where
over DEN
Time
03:19 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
no below 10,000 ft

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 10 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, GJT, DEN, GLD, SLN, MKC). 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	230° at 24 kt	−18 kt		138 kt	9 h 07 min	9:52 am CDT (14:52 UTC)
7,500 ft	220° at 25 kt	−18 kt	9 °C	138 kt	9 h 07 min	9:52 am CDT (14:52 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	−18 kt	7 °C	138 kt	9 h 07 min	9:52 am CDT (14:52 UTC)
11,500 ft	230° at 26 kt	−20 kt	2 °C	140 kt	8 h 59 min	9:44 am CDT (14:44 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 28 kt	−21 kt	-2 °C	141 kt	8 h 55 min	9:40 am CDT (14:40 UTC)
15,500 ft	220° at 30 kt	−22 kt	-6 °C	142 kt	8 h 51 min	9:36 am CDT (14:36 UTC)
17,500 ft	220° at 32 kt	−23 kt	-10 °C	143 kt	8 h 47 min	9:32 am CDT (14:32 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	220° at 33 kt	−23 kt	-11 °C	143 kt	8 h 47 min	9:32 am CDT (14:32 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	220° at 40 kt	−27 kt	-22 °C	147 kt	8 h 33 min	9:18 am CDT (14:18 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	230° at 52 kt	−41 kt	-29 °C	161 kt	7 h 48 min	8:33 am CDT (13:33 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	230° at 55 kt	−46 kt	-35 °C	166 kt	7 h 34 min	8:19 am CDT (13:19 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	240° at 51 kt	−43 kt	-45 °C	163 kt	7 h 43 min	8:28 am CDT (13:28 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; 25 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; 38 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 200 nm out; 82 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; 43 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; 79 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 499 nm out; 92 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; 66 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 848 nm out; 56 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°
SLN	used from 1047 nm out; 57 nm from the line	210/53	230/41 20°	240/26 14°	230/16 8°	240/25 -7°	240/35 -19°	250/61 -30°	260/65 -38°	260/56 -49°
MKC	used from 1197 nm out; 35 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°

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	Elevation
SMF Sacramento, CA	departure	no report just now	26 ft
TVL South Lake Tahoe, CA	80 nm out, 4 nm west of the line	no report just now	6,268 ft
GAB Gabbs, NV	170 nm out, 12 nm south of the line	no report just now	4,699 ft
ELY Ely, NV	319 nm out, 6 nm south of the line	no report just now	6,259 ft
DTA Delta, UT	429 nm out, 10 nm south of the line	no report just now	4,759 ft
PUC Price, UT	509 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line	no report just now	5,957 ft
EGE Eagle, CO	688 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower	no report just now	6,547 ft
CFO Denver, CO	798 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower	no report just now	5,515 ft
SYF St Francis, KS	918 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line	no report just now	3,429 ft
RCP Stockton, KS	1037 nm out, 9 nm south of the line	no report just now	1,999 ft
TOP Topeka, KS	1207 nm out, 10 nm south of the line, tower	no report just now	881 ft
MKC Kansas City, MO	destination	no report just now	756 ft

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,547 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At MKC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:19 am CDT (13:19 UTC)

MKC has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.

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 15 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 1 November · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at SMF 6:32 pm PDT (01:32 UTC), at MKC 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:11 pm CDT (00:11 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 southern Plains · 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, Kansas City Downtown/Wheeler Field.