St. Cloud Sky Central Airport to Denver International STC → DEN
579 nautical miles (666 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 238°, about 235° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 7:31 am MDT (13:31 UTC). Right now STC is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 5 knots; DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 24 knots, gusting to 32. 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 SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 90 to 339 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), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 309 to 479 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 120 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 70 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 STC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 2:24 am CDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. At the destination end, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN330050/TM 0724/FL180/TP B737/TB MOD/RM FL180-130
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 50 nm northwest (330°) of DEN
- Time
- 07:24 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- FL180-130
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 2:10 am CDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0710/FLDURD/TP B737/RM SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 07:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- smooth
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 45 nm west, 1:19 am CDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. At the destination end, 45 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN250045/TM 0619/FL250/TP A20N/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 260/RM DURC. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm west (250°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:19 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-06
- B738 descending, 3 nm south, 1:15 am CDT (06:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0615/FLDURD/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 06:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light chop
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 5 forecast points nearest it (AXN, FSD, ONL, BFF, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 200° at 22 kt | +18 kt | 20 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 41 min | 7:31 am MDT (13:31 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | +24 kt | 17 °C | 96 kt | 6 h 02 min | 7:52 am MDT (13:52 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 14 °C | 94 kt | 6 h 10 min | 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 10 °C | 94 kt | 6 h 10 min | 8:00 am MDT (14:00 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 5 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 14 min | 8:04 am MDT (14:04 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +28 kt | 0 °C | 92 kt | 6 h 18 min | 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +28 kt | -5 °C | 92 kt | 6 h 18 min | 8:08 am MDT (14:08 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 29 kt | +29 kt | -9 °C | 91 kt | 6 h 22 min | 8:12 am MDT (14:12 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 35 kt | +35 kt | -21 °C | 85 kt | 6 h 49 min | 8:39 am MDT (14:39 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 43 kt | +43 kt | -34 °C | 77 kt | 7 h 31 min | 9:21 am MDT (15:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 49 kt | +46 kt | -39 °C | 74 kt | 7 h 49 min | 9:39 am MDT (15:39 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 53 kt | +49 kt | -47 °C | 71 kt | 8 h 09 min | 9:59 am MDT (15:59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXN | used from 0 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 100/14 | 250/21 14° | 240/24 12° | 240/31 5° | 260/36 -10° | 260/40 -21° | 250/42 -36° | 260/48 -45° | 260/53 -50° |
| FSD | used from 100 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| ONL | used from 200 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 210/31 20° | 230/27 13° | 230/18 7° | 220/19 -8° | 240/26 -20° | 250/44 -35° | 270/52 -39° | 260/57 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 349 nm out; 110 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| DEN | used from 499 nm out; 55 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC St Cloud, MN | departure | VFR | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,030 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| BDH Willmar, MN | 50 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR Weather: mist | calm | 6 mi | none | 1,126 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| GDB Granite Falls, MN | 80 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 300 ft | 1,047 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| BKX Brookings, SD | 140 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 4 mi | 300 ft | 1,647 ft | 07:24 UTC |
| MHE Mitchell, SD | 200 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,304 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| ANW Ainsworth, NE | 309 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: fog | from the east (080°) at 5 knots | 0.5 mi | 300 ft | 2,588 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| TIF Thedford, NE | 359 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 300 ft | 2,925 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| OKS Oshkosh, NE | 439 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 3,394 ft | ||||
| STK Sterling, CO | 499 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,037 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| FMM Fort Morgan, CO | 529 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,595 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| DEN Denver, CO | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 18,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 24 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | 18,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,433 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DEN when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:31 am MDT (13:31 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for DEN
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am MDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet
The forecast for STC, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 15,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm CDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8911 DENVER, CO, Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · today · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at STC 6:36 pm CDT (23:36 UTC), at DEN 6:22 pm MDT (00:22 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm MDT (00:49 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: St. Cloud Sky Central Airport, Denver International.