Asheville Regional to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport AVL → DCA
334 nautical miles (384 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 050°, about 057° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 12-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:17 am EDT (13:17 UTC). Right now AVL is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots, gusting to 20; DCA is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 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: 994 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 TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the first 118 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the first 285 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the first 137 nm of the route.
- 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). Over the route from 128 to 314 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the last 29 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
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 AVL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 43 nm northwest, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 39 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- booie
- Time
- 10:10 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
- B737 at 700 ft, 26 nm northeast, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the destination end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 09:33 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- light rain
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 4 forecast points nearest it (GSP, TRI, ROA, RIC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | +4 kt | 116 kt | 2 h 53 min | 9:38 am EDT (13:38 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 340° at 28 kt | +9 kt | 11 °C | 111 kt | 3 h 01 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | +11 kt | 11 °C | 109 kt | 3 h 04 min | 9:49 am EDT (13:49 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 350° at 30 kt | +12 kt | 8 °C | 108 kt | 3 h 06 min | 9:51 am EDT (13:51 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | +9 kt | 5 °C | 111 kt | 3 h 01 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 31 kt | +8 kt | 1 °C | 112 kt | 2 h 59 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 340° at 34 kt | +8 kt | -3 °C | 112 kt | 2 h 59 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 37 kt | +8 kt | -7 °C | 112 kt | 2 h 59 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 38 kt | +8 kt | -8 °C | 112 kt | 2 h 59 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 44 kt | +12 kt | -20 °C | 108 kt | 3 h 06 min | 9:51 am EDT (13:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 51 kt | +15 kt | -33 °C | 105 kt | 3 h 11 min | 9:56 am EDT (13:56 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 340° at 51 kt | +13 kt | -40 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 07 min | 9:52 am EDT (13:52 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 40 kt | −12 kt | -48 °C | 132 kt | 2 h 32 min | 9:17 am EDT (13:17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | used from 0 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 340/30 | 360/24 13° | 350/29 10° | 340/33 6° | 340/40 -7° | 350/44 -19° | 340/59 -31° | 350/55 -41° | 300/29 -50° |
| TRI | used from 49 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 340/25 11° | 350/37 9° | 350/34 6° | 340/39 -7° | 340/43 -19° | 340/55 -32° | 330/58 -42° | 320/37 -50° | |
| ROA | used from 98 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| RIC | used from 245 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVL Asheville, NC | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,100 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 2,163 ft | 6:36 am EDT (10:36 UTC) |
| FQD Rutherfordton, NC | 20 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,077 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 59 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| UKF North Wilkesboro, NC | 88 nm out, 9 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,100 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,303 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| BCB Blacksburg, VA | 147 nm out, 18 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 2,119 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 167 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 15 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 1,175 ft | 09:54 UTC |
| SHD Staunton/Waynesboro/Harrisonburg, VA | 245 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,201 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 255 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,400 ft | 640 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| HEF Washington, DC | 314 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,300 feet, overcast at 4,200 feet | from the north (350°) at 10 knots | 3 mi | 4,200 ft | 192 ft | 09:56 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 14 ft | 6:24 am EDT (10:24 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:17 am EDT (13:17 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for DCA
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet and more above
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
The forecast for AVL, the departure
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet
- At times between Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 16 knots, gusting to 29, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at AVL 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 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: Asheville Regional, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.