Buffalo Niagara International to Washington Dulles International BUF → IAD
247 nautical miles (284 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 166°, about 177° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (5,500 ft, no wind along the track), arriving about 10:30 pm EDT (02:30 UTC), after sunset at the destination. 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: 2,259 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 E16E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 25 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 197 to 237 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 16E VALID UNTIL 0155Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ NY CSTL WTRS FROM SAX-30SE JFK-10N DCA-60ENE EKN-SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22025KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 197 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 227 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 ft. Near the route, 30 nm along 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). Over the last 207 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 39 to 207 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 89 to 187 nm out.
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 BUF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- DH8D at 19,000 ft, 48 nm east, 7:35 pm EDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2335/FL190/TP DH8D/TB CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- DH8D
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- E170 at 25,000 ft, 9 nm northeast, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): moderate turbulence above 25,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the departure end, 9 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF120010/TM 2237/FL250/TP E170/TB MOD 250/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (120°) of BUF
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate at 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- C25B at 25,000 ft, 4 nm northeast, 5:47 pm EDT (21:47 UTC): moderate rime icing, 0 °C. 128 nm along the route, 4 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSB UA /OV PSB/TM 2147/FL250/TP C25B/TA 0/IC MOD RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSB
- Where
- over PSB
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 46 nm west, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 217 nm along the route, 46 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
- Report
- a routine report filed through OKV
- Where
- 20 nm east (100°) of ESL
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent FRDMM7 star
- B38M at 500 ft, 48 nm east, 7:52 pm EDT (23:52 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2352/FL005/TP B38M/SK BKN005-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 23:52 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 500 ft, tops unknown
- A319 at 4,300 ft, 20 nm west, 7:14 pm EDT (23:14 UTC): overcast above 4,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 20 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF270020/TM 2314/FL043/TP A319/SK OVC 043/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 20 nm west (270°) of BUF
- Time
- 23:14 UTC
- Height
- at 4,300 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 4,300 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A320 at 2,500 ft, 48 nm east, 6:15 pm EDT (22:15 UTC): a broken layer above 2,500 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2215/FL025/TP A320/SK BKN025-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 22:15 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,500 ft, tops unknown
- B712 at 30,000 ft, 0 nm southwest, 6:09 pm EDT (22:09 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: improves westbound zob. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF/TM 2209/FL300/TP B712/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM IMPROVES WESTBOUND ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- over BUF
- Time
- 22:09 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- improves westbound zob
- A319 at 3,500 ft, 48 nm east, 5:32 pm EDT (21:32 UTC): overcast above 3,500 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2132/FL035/TP A319/SK OVC035-TOPUNKN
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 21:32 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 3,500 ft, tops unknown
- A320 at 4,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 5:29 pm EDT (21:29 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV DEPEW/TM 2129/FL040/TP A320/SK OVC 040/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- depew
- Time
- 21:29 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A321 at 6,000 ft, 12 nm west, 5:59 pm EDT (21:59 UTC): a broken layer above 6,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 12 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF230015/TM 2159/FL060/TP A321/SK BKN 060/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 15 nm southwest (230°) of BUF
- Time
- 21:59 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- a broken layer from 6,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E170 climbing, 48 nm east, 5:58 pm EDT (21:58 UTC): overcast above 3,300 ft. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC180007/TM 2158/FLDURC/TP E170/SK OVC033
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- 7 nm south (180°) of ROC
- Time
- 21:58 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- overcast from 3,300 ft
- A21N at 30,000 ft, 8 nm west, 7:36 pm EDT (23:36 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. 30 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
JHW UA /OV JHW050025/TM 2336/FL300/TP A21N/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JHW
- Where
- 25 nm northeast (050°) of JHW
- Time
- 23:36 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- PC12 at 25,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 6:14 pm EDT (22:14 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 25,000 ft, remarks: zob. 30 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF180025/TM 2214/FL250/TP PC12/TB LGT-MOD 250/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 25 nm south (180°) of BUF
- Time
- 22:14 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- light to moderate at 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
16 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 2 forecast points nearest it (BUF, PSB). 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 | 260° at 10 kt | 0 | 13 °C | 120 kt | 2 h 03 min | 10:30 pm EDT (02:30 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 9 kt | +2 kt | 10 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 06 min | 10:33 pm EDT (02:33 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 8 kt | +5 kt | 7 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 09 min | 10:36 pm EDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 10 kt | +6 kt | 5 °C | 114 kt | 2 h 10 min | 10:37 pm EDT (02:37 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 14 kt | +7 kt | 0 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 11 min | 10:38 pm EDT (02:38 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | +9 kt | -5 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 14 min | 10:41 pm EDT (02:41 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +11 kt | -10 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 16 min | 10:43 pm EDT (02:43 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 25 kt | +11 kt | -11 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 16 min | 10:43 pm EDT (02:43 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 31 kt | +22 kt | -21 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 31 min | 10:58 pm EDT (02:58 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 68 kt | +40 kt | -33 °C | 80 kt | 3 h 05 min | 11:32 pm EDT (03:32 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 71 kt | +41 kt | -40 °C | 79 kt | 3 h 08 min | 11:35 pm EDT (03:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 64 kt | +28 kt | -50 °C | 92 kt | 2 h 41 min | 11:08 pm EDT (03:08 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 170/19 | L/V 10° | 040/9 6° | 220/8 2° | 230/15 -11° | 220/33 -22° | 220/47 -35° | 230/55 -41° | 230/56 -50° |
| PSB | used from 49 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUF Buffalo, NY | departure | no report just now | 726 ft | ||||
| OLE Olean, NY | 49 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 2,135 ft | ||||
| OYM St Marys, PA | 89 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 1,934 ft | ||||
| UNV State College, PA | 128 nm out, 9 nm east of the line, tower | no report just now | 1,231 ft | ||||
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 197 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | no report just now | 703 ft | ||||
| FDK Frederick, MD | 217 nm out, 11 nm east of the line, tower | no report just now | 308 ft | ||||
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | no report just now | 312 ft |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,135 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, 10:30 pm EDT (02:30 UTC)
IAD has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 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
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC), at IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IAD is after sunset there (6:37 pm EDT (22:37 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: Buffalo Niagara International, Washington Dulles International.