Williston Basin International to Casper/Natrona County International XWA → CPR
341 nautical miles (392 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 201°, about 193° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 2-knot headwind), arriving about 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20; CPR is VFR, wind from the northwest (310°) at 7 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: 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
- 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 last 117 nm of the route.
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.
- 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 224 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 107 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 58 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 302 nm along 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
- urgent CRJ2 at 7,000 ft, 2 nm northeast, 8:04 pm CDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear dept runway 03 gain/loss unknown. At the destination end, 2 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UUA /OV CPR035002/TM 0104/FL070/TP CRJ2/TB CONT MOD TURB/RM LLWS DEPT RY03 GAIN/LOSS UNKN
- Report
- an urgent report filed through CPR
- Where
- 2 nm northeast (035°) of CPR
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate turbulence
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear dept runway 03 gain/loss unknown
- 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 9,000 ft, 15 nm southwest, 7:35 pm CDT (00:35 UTC): light chop turbulence, vmc, remarks: occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft. At the destination end, 15 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CPR UA /OV CPR215015/TM 0035/FL090/TP CRJ2/WX VMC/TB LGT CHOP/RM OCNL MOD TURB AT 150
- Report
- a routine report filed through CPR
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (215°) of CPR
- Time
- 00:35 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Weather
- visual conditions
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- occasional moderate turbulence at at 15,000 ft
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 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 4 forecast points nearest it (DIK, MLS, RAP, LND). 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 | 120° at 18 kt | +2 kt | 6 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 53 min | 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 130° at 17 kt | +5 kt | 6 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 58 min | 11:05 pm MDT (05:05 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 170° at 19 kt | +17 kt | 6 °C | 103 kt | 3 h 19 min | 11:26 pm MDT (05:26 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 4 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 38 min | 11:45 pm MDT (05:45 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 34 kt | +33 kt | 1 °C | 87 kt | 3 h 55 min | 12:02 am MDT (06:02 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 38 kt | +36 kt | -3 °C | 84 kt | 4 h 04 min | 12:11 am MDT (06:11 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 43 kt | +39 kt | -7 °C | 81 kt | 4 h 13 min | 12:20 am MDT (06:20 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 47 kt | +41 kt | -10 °C | 79 kt | 4 h 19 min | 12:26 am MDT (06:26 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 51 kt | +44 kt | -21 °C | 76 kt | 4 h 29 min | 12:36 am MDT (06:36 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 50 kt | +46 kt | -36 °C | 74 kt | 4 h 36 min | 12:43 am MDT (06:43 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 59 kt | +48 kt | -43 °C | 72 kt | 4 h 44 min | 12:51 am MDT (06:51 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 67 kt | +45 kt | -49 °C | 75 kt | 4 h 33 min | 12:40 am MDT (06:40 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; 80 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° | |
| MLS | used from 97 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 120/22 5° | 170/18 4° | 200/33 1° | 230/49 -10° | 230/58 -21° | 220/54 -37° | 230/64 -44° | 250/74 -49° | |
| RAP | used from 244 nm out; 124 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° | |
| LND | used from 292 nm out; 111 nm from the line | 180/33 10° | 190/50 3° | 210/59 -9° | 200/50 -21° | 190/41 -34° | 230/55 -39° | 240/65 -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 | 39 nm out, 5 nm northwest 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 |
| GDV Glendive, MT | 78 nm out, 17 nm west of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 13 knots | 4 mi | 400 ft | 2,458 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| BHK Baker, MT | 117 nm out, 21 nm east 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 |
| GCC Gillette, WY | 244 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 4,800 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | 4,800 ft | 4,365 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| CPR Casper, WY | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,344 ft | 7:53 pm MDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,344 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CPR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:00 pm MDT (05:00 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet VFR
30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, a broken layer at 3,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for CPR
- From Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 12 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
- At times between Sun 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 10:00 pm MDT (04:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 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
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at XWA 7:12 pm CDT (00:12 UTC), at CPR 6:28 pm MDT (00:28 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:56 pm MDT (00:56 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CPR is after sunset there (6:30 pm MDT (00:30 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, Casper/Natrona County International.