Charles M Schulz/Sonoma County to Northern Colorado Regional STS → FNL
832 nautical miles (957 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 076°, about 060° magnetic at the departure end (variation 16E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 43-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:48 am MDT (13:48 UTC). Right now STS is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 3 knots; FNL is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 5 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: 2 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 W17W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am PDT (09:55 UTC). Over the route from 366 to 436 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120755 MKCW WST 120755 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17W VALID UNTIL 0955Z AZ UT NV FROM 20WNW BVL-30N BCE-60SSW BCE-50NNE LAS-60NNW ELY-20WNW BVL AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the first 178 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 238 to 772 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 267 to 792 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 446 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 42,000 ft. Over the last 317 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 149 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 STS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 18,000 ft, 8 nm north, 12:24 am PDT (07:24 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: FL180-130. At the destination end, 8 nm north 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
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 47 nm south, 11:19 pm PDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. At the destination end, 47 nm south 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
- B737 descending, 42 nm southeast, 1:10 am PDT (08:10 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0810/FLDURD/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 08:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B737 descending, 42 nm southeast, 12:10 am PDT (07:10 UTC): remarks: smooth. At the destination end, 42 nm southeast 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
- B738 descending, 42 nm southeast, 11:15 pm PDT (06:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm southeast 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 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 7 forecast points nearest it (SAC, RNO, BAM, ELY, SLC, GJT, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 16 kt | −13 kt | 4 °C | 133 kt | 6 h 15 min | 8:57 am MDT (14:57 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | −16 kt | 1 °C | 136 kt | 6 h 07 min | 8:49 am MDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −21 kt | -3 °C | 141 kt | 5 h 54 min | 8:36 am MDT (14:36 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −22 kt | -7 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 52 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −22 kt | -11 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 52 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −22 kt | -14 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 52 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 27 kt | −22 kt | -15 °C | 142 kt | 5 h 52 min | 8:34 am MDT (14:34 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 29 kt | −26 kt | -23 °C | 146 kt | 5 h 42 min | 8:24 am MDT (14:24 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 43 kt | −38 kt | -31 °C | 158 kt | 5 h 16 min | 7:58 am MDT (13:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 50 kt | −43 kt | -36 °C | 163 kt | 5 h 06 min | 7:48 am MDT (13:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 49 kt | −41 kt | -44 °C | 161 kt | 5 h 10 min | 7:52 am MDT (13:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAC | used from 0 nm out; 38 nm from the line | L/V | L/V 4° | 340/9 -4° | 340/22 -8° | 360/71 -12° | 360/82 -23° | 350/58 -37° | 310/30 -40° | 270/25 -44° |
| RNO | used from 99 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 010/6 | 270/12 -3° | 220/26 -10° | 280/13 -19° | 350/44 -24° | 320/30 -32° | 260/22 -36° | 240/24 -42° | |
| BAM | used from 248 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 280/9 -2° | 260/18 -8° | 190/47 -19° | 200/50 -29° | 210/56 -29° | 220/54 -34° | 220/45 -42° | ||
| ELY | used from 297 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 210/34 1° | 220/40 -4° | 220/39 -17° | 210/51 -24° | 220/65 -30° | 220/60 -37° | 220/56 -44° | ||
| SLC | used from 446 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 200/16 | 210/23 4° | 220/34 -3° | 210/40 -16° | 220/66 -23° | 220/64 -31° | 220/57 -36° | 220/50 -43° | |
| GJT | used from 594 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 220/26 6° | 230/39 0° | 220/55 -13° | 230/60 -23° | 230/78 -31° | 230/80 -35° | 230/74 -44° | ||
| DEN | used from 743 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 270/24 11° | 230/13 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/46 -20° | 230/63 -30° | 240/78 -36° | 240/78 -48° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS Santa Rosa, CA | departure | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 128 ft | 12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC) |
| SMF Sacramento, CA | 59 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southeast (130°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| TRK Truckee, CA | 129 nm out, 20 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,904 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| SPZ Silver Springs, NV | 178 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 4,265 ft | ||||
| TMT Austin, NV | 267 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,700 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet | from the southeast (140°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 5,735 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| PVU Provo, UT | 525 nm out, 10 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, overcast at 12,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 4,496 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| VEL Vernal, UT | 624 nm out, 13 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,700 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west (260°) at 10 knots | 9 mi | 4,700 ft | 5,274 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 733 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,606 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| GNB Granby, CO | 792 nm out, 20 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 8,207 ft | 08:35 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | destination | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 1:56 am MDT (07:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 8,207 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FNL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:48 am MDT (13:48 UTC)
FNL has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
The forecast for STS, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 2 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 12 nm from the route, 69 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at STS 6:36 pm PDT (01:36 UTC), at FNL 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 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: Charles M Schulz/Sonoma County, Northern Colorado Regional.