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 11:56 pm EDT (03:56 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BUF is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 7 knots; IAD is IFR, wind from the north (350°) at 6 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: 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 2E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 187 to 187 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2E VALID UNTIL 0255Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD AND NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30NE SAX-30SSW HTO-30ESE EMI-50WSW HAR-30NE SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E VALID UNTIL 0255Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the whole 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.
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 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
- B738 at 4,700 ft, 6 nm northeast, 8:59 pm EDT (00:59 UTC): a broken layer from 4,700 ft to 5,300 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 6 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF140010/TM 0059/FL047/TP B738/SK BKN 047 TOPS 053/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (140°) of BUF
- Time
- 00:59 UTC
- Height
- at 4,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,700 ft, tops 5,300 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- 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
- B38M at 30,000 ft, 8 nm west, 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. 39 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
JHW UA /OV JHW080020/TM 2254/FL300/TP B38M/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JHW
- Where
- 20 nm east (080°) of JHW
- Time
- 22:54 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- CRJ7 at 1,600 ft, 8 nm east, 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC): overcast above 1,600 ft, remarks: during the descent RY06 KUNV. 128 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV240002/TM 0020/FL016/TP CRJ7/SK BKN-OVC016/RM DURD RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of KUNV
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,600 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BKN-OVC016
- Remarks
- during the descent RY06 KUNV
- E145 at 2,000 ft, 8 nm east, 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC): overcast above 2,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY06 KUNV. 128 nm along the route, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
UNV UA /OV KUNV240002/TM 2310/FL020/TP E145/SK OVC020/RM DURD RY06 KUNV
- Report
- a routine report filed through UNV
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of KUNV
- Time
- 23:10 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast from 2,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY06 KUNV
- C25B at 800 ft, 44 nm east, 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 178 nm along the route, 44 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV CXY/TM 0141/FL008/TP C25B/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over CXY
- Time
- 01:41 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
- A21N at 600 ft, 39 nm east, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- B763 at 500 ft, 39 nm east, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2350/FL005/TP B763/SK BKN005
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 23:50 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 500 ft
- B738 at 7,000 ft, 30 nm east, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the destination end, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 2340/FL070/TP B738/SK OVC004/RM TOP 065
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 10 nm west (280°) of BAL
- Time
- 23:40 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- overcast from 400 ft
- Remarks
- top 6,500 ft
- A320 at 2,000 ft, 39 nm east, 9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 0146/FL020/TP A320/SK BKN003-TOP045/RM CONLE5 SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of BAL
- Time
- 01:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 300 ft, tops 4,500 ft
- Remarks
- CONLE5 sid
10 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 | 11:56 pm EDT (03:56 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 9 kt | +2 kt | 10 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 06 min | 11:59 pm EDT (03:59 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 8 kt | +5 kt | 7 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 09 min | 12:02 am EDT (04:02 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 10 kt | +6 kt | 5 °C | 114 kt | 2 h 10 min | 12:03 am EDT (04:03 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 14 kt | +7 kt | 0 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 11 min | 12:04 am EDT (04:04 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 19 kt | +9 kt | -5 °C | 111 kt | 2 h 14 min | 12:07 am EDT (04:07 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +11 kt | -10 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 16 min | 12:09 am EDT (04:09 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 25 kt | +11 kt | -11 °C | 109 kt | 2 h 16 min | 12:09 am EDT (04:09 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 210° at 31 kt | +22 kt | -21 °C | 98 kt | 2 h 31 min | 12:24 am EDT (04:24 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 68 kt | +40 kt | -33 °C | 80 kt | 3 h 05 min | 12:58 am EDT (04:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 71 kt | +41 kt | -40 °C | 79 kt | 3 h 08 min | 1:01 am EDT (05:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 64 kt | +28 kt | -50 °C | 92 kt | 2 h 41 min | 12:34 am EDT (04:34 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 | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 726 ft | 8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC) |
| OLE Olean, NY | 49 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the east (080°) at 5 knots | 2 mi | 200 ft | 2,135 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| 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 | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 1.5 mi | 300 ft | 1,231 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 197 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17 | 6 mi | 400 ft | 703 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| FDK Frederick, MD | 217 nm out, 11 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north (010°) at 8 knots | 5 mi | 600 ft | 308 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 8 mi | 600 ft | 312 ft | 8:52 pm EDT (00:52 UTC) |
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, 11:56 pm EDT (03:56 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 400 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for IAD
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 6 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 400 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 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, overcast at 2,100 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for BUF, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
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 before sunrise there (7:16 am EDT (11:16 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.