Williston Basin International to City Of Colorado Springs Municipal XWA → COS
569 nautical miles (655 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 185°, about 177° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 5 h 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, a 7-knot headwind), arriving about 1:09 am MDT (07:09 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20; COS is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 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: 5 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 8W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 329 to 419 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 8W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO MT WY FROM 40N SHR-60WNW RAP-20ENE CYS-30SW CYS-10NW BOY-40N SHR AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- SIGMET 6W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 10:55 pm CDT (03:55 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 120155 MKCW WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6W VALID UNTIL 0355Z CO NM FROM 50SSW DEN-30NNE TBE-50SSW CME-50E SJN-20NE DVC-50SSW DEN AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 210 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 230 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 XWA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BE9L at 21,000 ft, 48 nm west, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 359 nm along the route, 48 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DGW
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of IIP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- base 20,000 ft
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
- Icing
- moderate mix at 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 29 nm west, 6:28 pm CDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 469 nm along the route, 29 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 35 nm east, 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. 479 nm along the route, 35 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- UAL2199 at 35,000 ft, 44 nm east, 6:31 pm CDT (23:31 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, wind 247° at 79 knots. 489 nm along the route, 44 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2199 4007N 10337W 2331 F350 247/079KT TB MOD CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- BCS1 at 24,000 ft, 31 nm west, 8:30 pm CDT (01:30 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-05. 499 nm along the route, 31 nm west 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
- PA24 at 6,000 ft, 40 nm east, 7:48 pm CDT (00:48 UTC): light rime icing from 5,000 ft to 6,000 ft, 2 °C. At the departure end, 40 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
XWA UA /OV XWA060040/TM 0048/FL060/TP PA24/TA 02/IC LGT RIME 060-050
- Report
- a routine report filed through XWA
- Where
- 40 nm northeast (060°) of XWA
- Time
- 00:48 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA24
- Temperature
- 2 °C
- Icing
- light rime from 6,000 ft to 5,000 ft
- CRJ2 at 2,900 ft, 47 nm east, 7:05 pm CDT (00:05 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 80 nm along the route, 47 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DIK UA /OV DIK/TM 0005/FL029/TP CRJ2/SK BASE029
- Report
- a routine report filed through DIK
- Where
- over DIK
- Time
- 00:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,900 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- BASE029
- B752 at 35,000 ft, 14 nm west, 6:21 pm CDT (23:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-33. 379 nm along the route, 14 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CYS UA /OV CYS350045/TM 2321/FL350/TP B752/TB CONS LGT-MOD/RM ZDVWC-33
- Report
- a routine report filed through CYS
- Where
- 45 nm north (350°) of CYS
- Time
- 23:21 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B752
- Turbulence
- continuous light to moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-33
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 7 nm southwest, 6:45 pm CDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 479 nm along the route, 7 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 35 nm east, 6:30 pm CDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. 479 nm along the route, 35 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
- B737 descending, 2 nm west, 8:23 pm CDT (01:23 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 509 nm along the route, 2 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0123/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 01:23 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- A321 descending, 2 nm west, 7:26 pm CDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. 509 nm along the route, 2 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 28 nm east, 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. 509 nm along the route, 28 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 2 nm west, 6:27 pm CDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. 509 nm along the route, 2 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
6 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 5 forecast points nearest it (DIK, RAP, BFF, DEN, PUB). 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 | 120° at 18 kt | +7 kt | 9 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 02 min | 1:09 am MDT (07:09 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 170° at 19 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 35 min | 1:42 am MDT (07:42 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 190° at 24 kt | +24 kt | 10 °C | 96 kt | 5 h 56 min | 2:03 am MDT (08:03 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 210° at 27 kt | +24 kt | 6 °C | 96 kt | 5 h 56 min | 2:03 am MDT (08:03 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | +23 kt | 2 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:59 am MDT (07:59 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +23 kt | -3 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:59 am MDT (07:59 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | +23 kt | -8 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:59 am MDT (07:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 37 kt | +23 kt | -9 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:59 am MDT (07:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 45 kt | +26 kt | -21 °C | 94 kt | 6 h 03 min | 2:10 am MDT (08:10 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 53 kt | +33 kt | -35 °C | 87 kt | 6 h 32 min | 2:39 am MDT (08:39 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 57 kt | +28 kt | -41 °C | 92 kt | 6 h 11 min | 2:18 am MDT (08:18 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 57 kt | +23 kt | -48 °C | 97 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:59 am MDT (07:59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIK | used from 0 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 110/15 6° | 200/17 5° | 230/31 1° | 240/47 -10° | 240/52 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 240/57 -45° | 250/67 -51° | |
| RAP | used from 150 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° | |
| BFF | used from 300 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| DEN | used from 449 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| PUB | used from 549 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWA Williston, ND | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (050°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20 | 8 mi | 800 ft | 2,356 ft | 8:51 pm CDT (01:51 UTC) |
| SDY Sidney, MT | 30 nm out, 16 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (040°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 1,985 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| BHK Baker, MT | 120 nm out, 13 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet Weather: light rain | from the east (080°) at 18 knots, gusting to 28 | 8 mi | 1,700 ft | 2,980 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| EFC Belle Fourche, SD | 210 nm out, 12 nm east of the line | no report just now | 3,190 ft | ||||
| ECS Newcastle, WY | 260 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,177 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| LSK Lusk, WY | 329 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 4,966 ft | ||||
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 359 nm out, 15 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 13,000 feet, scattered clouds at 15,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,401 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| CYS Cheyenne, WY | 429 nm out, 14 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,159 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| CFO Denver, CO | 509 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,515 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| APA Denver, CO | 519 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 14,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 19 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,884 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| COS Colorado Springs, CO | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 17,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 17,000 ft | 6,187 ft | 7:54 pm MDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,187 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At COS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:09 am MDT (07:09 UTC)
Wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for COS
- From Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- At times between Sun 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 25 knots, gusting to 35, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 9,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am MDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for XWA, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 900 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) and 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 400 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8770 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, Saturday, October 10, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 12 nm from the route, at the destination end · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 12 October · ZDV
Daylight
Sunset at XWA 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC), at COS 6:25 pm MDT (00:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:51 pm MDT (00:51 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at COS is before sunrise there (7:04 am MDT (13:04 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: Williston Basin International, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal.