Williston Basin International to Montrose Regional XWA → MTJ
612 nautical miles (705 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 199°, about 191° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 33-knot headwind), arriving about 7:05 am MDT (13:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now XWA is IFR, wind from the northeast (050°) at 15 knots; MTJ is VFR, wind variable at 3 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
- 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 247 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 445 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 425 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 425 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 257 to 415 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 405 to 573 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 405 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 B737 at 7,600 ft, 5 nm north, 10:22 pm CDT (03:22 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 45 knots crosswind on final. 494 nm along the route, 5 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, 35 nm southeast, 11:30 pm CDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 553 nm along the route, 35 nm southeast 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
- BE20 at 16,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 10:28 pm CDT (03:28 UTC): light chop turbulence, light rime icing, -3 °C, remarks: ZDVWC-11. 553 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest 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
- UAL2479 at 36,000 ft, 10 nm west, 10:11 pm CDT (03:11 UTC): no turbulence, wind 231° at 49 knots. 573 nm along the route, 10 nm west 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
- B733 at 20,000 ft, 40 nm east, 10:16 pm CDT (03:16 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 20,000 ft, clear from 20,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-12. At the destination end, 40 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU/TM 0316/FL200/TP B733/SK SKC/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 200/RM DURC ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- over HBU
- Time
- 03:16 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B733
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 20,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-12
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 6 forecast points nearest it (DIK, MLS, RAP, LND, RKS, GJT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 33 kt | +33 kt | 6 °C | 87 kt | 7 h 02 min | 7:05 am MDT (13:05 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 38 kt | +37 kt | 4 °C | 83 kt | 7 h 22 min | 7:25 am MDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 42 kt | +39 kt | 0 °C | 81 kt | 7 h 33 min | 7:36 am MDT (13:36 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 41 kt | +38 kt | -4 °C | 82 kt | 7 h 28 min | 7:31 am MDT (13:31 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 40 kt | +37 kt | -8 °C | 83 kt | 7 h 22 min | 7:25 am MDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 40 kt | +36 kt | -11 °C | 84 kt | 7 h 17 min | 7:20 am MDT (13:20 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 45 kt | +41 kt | -22 °C | 79 kt | 7 h 45 min | 7:48 am MDT (13:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 48 kt | +45 kt | -32 °C | 75 kt | 8 h 10 min | 8:13 am MDT (14:13 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 59 kt | +50 kt | -38 °C | 70 kt | 8 h 45 min | 8:48 am MDT (14:48 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 63 kt | +49 kt | -46 °C | 71 kt | 8 h 37 min | 8:40 am MDT (14:40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIK | used from 0 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 150/24 7° | 200/38 6° | 220/53 0° | 230/51 -9° | 230/49 -21° | 240/37 -37° | 240/47 -44° | 250/65 -48° | |
| MLS | used from 99 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 247 nm out; 117 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| LND | used from 296 nm out; 118 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| RKS | used from 395 nm out; 105 nm from the line | 200/41 | 220/44 1° | 220/35 -11° | 220/46 -24° | 210/53 -27° | 220/62 -35° | 230/61 -44° | ||
| GJT | used from 494 nm out; 77 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° |
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 600 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: light rain | from the northeast (050°) at 15 knots | 7 mi | 600 ft | 2,356 ft | 12:51 am CDT (05:51 UTC) |
| SDY Sidney, MT | 40 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: rain | from the northeast (040°) at 8 knots | 8 mi | 800 ft | 1,985 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| BHK Baker, MT | 119 nm out, 17 nm east of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 9 knots | 8 mi | 600 ft | 2,980 ft | 05:51 UTC |
| GCC Gillette, WY | 247 nm out, 2 nm east of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | calm | 6 mi | 400 ft | 4,365 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| CPR Casper, WY | 346 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 5,344 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| SAA Saratoga, WY | 425 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | reported, no category | from the south (180°) at 17 knots, gusting to 26 | 10+ mi | none | 7,014 ft | 05:50 UTC |
| SBS Steamboat Springs, CO | 484 nm out, 12 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 6,882 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| HDN Hayden, CO | 494 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6,606 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| RIL Rifle, CO | 553 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 5,536 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| MTJ Montrose, CO | destination | VFR | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,758 ft | 11:53 pm MDT (05:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,014 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MTJ when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:05 am MDT (13:05 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MTJ
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a few clouds at 11,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 pm MDT (00:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet
The forecast for XWA, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 11 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 13 knots, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 400 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): visibility 1 mile, light rain snow, mist
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 400 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 600 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 7:10 pm CDT (00:10 UTC), at MTJ 6:36 pm MDT (00:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:03 pm MDT (01:03 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MTJ is before sunrise there (7:17 am MDT (13:17 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, Montrose Regional.