Asheville Regional to Washington Dulles International AVL → IAD
322 nautical miles (370 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 048°, about 055° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 31 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC). Right now AVL is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 6 knots, gusting to 16; IAD is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 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: 188 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 97 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the first 156 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist, fog). Over the last 302 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 AVL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 800 ft, 39 nm east, 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0730/FL008/TP B737/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 07:30 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
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 3 forecast points nearest it (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 31 kt | +4 kt | 116 kt | 2 h 47 min | 7:50 am EDT (11:50 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | +9 kt | 11 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 54 min | 7:57 am EDT (11:57 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 30 kt | +13 kt | 11 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 01 min | 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 350° at 31 kt | +14 kt | 8 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 02 min | 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | +11 kt | 5 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 57 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 31 kt | +11 kt | 1 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 57 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 340° at 34 kt | +10 kt | -3 °C | 110 kt | 2 h 56 min | 7:59 am EDT (11:59 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 37 kt | +10 kt | -7 °C | 110 kt | 2 h 56 min | 7:59 am EDT (11:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 38 kt | +10 kt | -8 °C | 110 kt | 2 h 56 min | 7:59 am EDT (11:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 45 kt | +13 kt | -20 °C | 107 kt | 3 h 01 min | 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 51 kt | +18 kt | -33 °C | 102 kt | 3 h 09 min | 8:12 am EDT (12:12 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 52 kt | +14 kt | -40 °C | 106 kt | 3 h 02 min | 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 41 kt | −8 kt | -48 °C | 128 kt | 2 h 31 min | 7:34 am EDT (11:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRI | used from 0 nm out; 47 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 97 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 244 nm out; 71 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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 2,900 feet | from the north (350°) at 6 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | none | 2,163 ft | 4:54 am EDT (08:54 UTC) |
| FQD Rutherfordton, NC | 19 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,077 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 58 nm out, 25 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| HLX Galax Hillsville, VA | 117 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,100 feet, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 13 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 2,693 ft | 06:15 UTC |
| BCB Blacksburg, VA | 146 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 5 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 2,119 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 166 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,300 feet | from the west (280°) at 12 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 3,300 ft | 1,175 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 253 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 640 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| CJR Culpeper, VA | 292 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 315 ft | 08:55 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 knots | 6 mi | 1,000 ft | 312 ft | 4:52 am EDT (08:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,693 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IAD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet IFR
The whole forecast for IAD
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 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 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
The forecast for AVL, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): a broken layer at 3,000 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 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 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 IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 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, Washington Dulles International.