Plan a flight · Mon 11:36 am EDT (15:36 UTC)

Buffalo Niagara International to Richmond International BUF → RIC

333 nautical miles (383 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 168°, about 179° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 40-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:41 pm EDT (17:41 UTC). Right now BUF is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots; RIC is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25. 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: 3 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 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the first 147 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 39 to 176 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 166 to 294 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 176 to 245 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

A321 at 800 ft, 48 nm east, 11:04 am EDT (15:04 UTC): remarks: B008 above ground during the descent runway 22. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV KROC/TM 1504/FL008/TP A321/RM B008 AGL DURD RWY22
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over KROC
Time
15:04 UTC
Height
at 800 ft
Aircraft
A321
Remarks
B008 above ground during the descent runway 22
A320 at 900 ft, 14 nm northwest, 10:38 am EDT (14:38 UTC): remarks: drud. At the departure end, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1438/FL009/TP A320/SK BASES 009 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUD
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAG
Where
over KIAG
Time
14:38 UTC
Height
at 900 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
bases 900 ft tops unknown
Remarks
drud
H25B at 500 ft, 14 nm northwest, 10:28 am EDT (14:28 UTC): remarks: drud. At the departure end, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1428/FL005/TP H25B/SK BASES 005 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUD
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAG
Where
over KIAG
Time
14:28 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
H25B
Sky
bases 500 ft tops unknown
Remarks
drud
CRJ9 at 1,000 ft, 48 nm east, 10:23 am EDT (14:23 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1423/FL010/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 010
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
14:23 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
bases 1,000 ft
CRJ9 at 3,500 ft, 48 nm east, 10:23 am EDT (14:23 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1423/FL035/TP CRJ9/SK TOPS 035
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
14:23 UTC
Height
at 3,500 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
tops 3,500 ft
K35R at 900 ft, 14 nm northwest, 9:57 am EDT (13:57 UTC): remarks: druc. At the departure end, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAG UA /OV KIAG/TM 1357/FL009/TP K35R/SK BASES 009 TOPS UNKN/RM DRUC
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAG
Where
over KIAG
Time
13:57 UTC
Height
at 900 ft
Aircraft
K35R
Sky
bases 900 ft tops unknown
Remarks
druc
CRJ9 at 1,100 ft, 0 nm southwest, 9:26 am EDT (13:26 UTC): remarks: during the descent, ils runway 23. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV KBUF/TM 1326/FL011/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 600 AGL/RM DURD, ILS RWY 23
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
over KBUF
Time
13:26 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
bases 60,000 ft above ground
Remarks
during the descent, ils runway 23
E75L at 3,500 ft, 48 nm east, 9:25 am EDT (13:25 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 1325/FL035/TP E75L/SK TOPS 035 BASES 006
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROC
Where
over ROC
Time
13:25 UTC
Height
at 3,500 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
tops 3,500 ft bases 600 ft
CRJ9 at 1,300 ft, 6 nm southwest, 9:13 am EDT (13:13 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 6 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV PLAZZ/TM 1313/FL013/TP CRJ9/SK BNK013 TOPS 033
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
plazz
Time
13:13 UTC
Height
at 1,300 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
BNK013 tops 3,300 ft
B737 at 1,100 ft, 0 nm southwest, 8:45 am EDT (12:45 UTC): remarks: during the descent, ils runway 23. At the departure end, 0 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV KBUF/TM 1245/FL011/TP B737/SK B011/RM DURD, ILS RWY 23
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
over KBUF
Time
12:45 UTC
Height
at 1,100 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
B011
Remarks
during the descent, ils runway 23
B737 at 3,200 ft, 10 nm northeast, 8:40 am EDT (12:40 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 10 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BUF UA /OV BUF050010/TM 1240/FL032/TP B737/SK BASES 011 TOPS 032
```
Report
a routine report filed through BUF
Where
10 nm northeast (050°) of BUF
Time
12:40 UTC
Height
at 3,200 ft
Aircraft
B737
Sky
bases 1,100 ft tops 3,200 ft
C208 at 4,300 ft, 10 nm west, 8:52 am EDT (12:52 UTC): no icing, remarks: bases at minimums zob. 68 nm along the route, 10 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BFD UA /OV BFD/TM 1252/FL043/TP C208/SK BASE003 TOP043/IC NEG/RM BASES AT MINIMUMS ZOB
```
Report
a routine report filed through BFD
Where
over BFD
Time
12:52 UTC
Height
at 4,300 ft
Aircraft
C208
Sky
BASE003 TOP043
Icing
none
Remarks
bases at minimums zob
F2TH at 37,000 ft, 43 nm east, 10:16 am EDT (14:16 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 35,000 ft to 37,000 ft. 88 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ELM UA /OV SFK/TM 1416/FL370/TP F2TH/TB LGT-MOD 350-370
```
Report
a routine report filed through ELM
Where
over SFK
Time
14:16 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Turbulence
light to moderate from 35,000 ft to 37,000 ft
PA46 at 6,000 ft, 43 nm east, 11:15 am EDT (15:15 UTC): no turbulence, overcast above 4,000 ft. 166 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MDT UA /OV HAR/TM 1515/FL060/TP PA46/SK OVC040/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through MDT
Where
over HAR
Time
15:15 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
PA46
Sky
overcast from 4,000 ft
Turbulence
smooth

13 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 (BUF, PSB, 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
5,500 ft	330° at 24 kt	−22 kt	14 °C	142 kt	2 h 21 min	1:57 pm EDT (17:57 UTC)
7,500 ft	330° at 24 kt	−23 kt	12 °C	143 kt	2 h 20 min	1:56 pm EDT (17:56 UTC)
9,500 ft	330° at 24 kt	−24 kt	8 °C	144 kt	2 h 19 min	1:55 pm EDT (17:55 UTC)
11,500 ft	330° at 25 kt	−24 kt	4 °C	144 kt	2 h 19 min	1:55 pm EDT (17:55 UTC)
13,500 ft	330° at 26 kt	−25 kt	0 °C	145 kt	2 h 18 min	1:54 pm EDT (17:54 UTC)
15,500 ft	330° at 27 kt	−25 kt	-3 °C	145 kt	2 h 18 min	1:54 pm EDT (17:54 UTC)
17,500 ft	330° at 28 kt	−26 kt	-7 °C	146 kt	2 h 17 min	1:53 pm EDT (17:53 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 28 kt	−26 kt	-8 °C	146 kt	2 h 17 min	1:53 pm EDT (17:53 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	310° at 31 kt	−25 kt	-20 °C	145 kt	2 h 18 min	1:54 pm EDT (17:54 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 40 kt	−34 kt	-35 °C	154 kt	2 h 10 min	1:46 pm EDT (17:46 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	310° at 50 kt	−39 kt	-45 °C	159 kt	2 h 06 min	1:42 pm EDT (17:42 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	310° at 52 kt	−40 kt	-50 °C	160 kt	2 h 05 min	1:41 pm EDT (17:41 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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; 24 nm from the line	270/25	300/28 14°	300/29 8°	310/29 2°	300/30 -9°	290/33 -21°	290/44 -37°	290/56 -47°	300/62 -51°
PSB	used from 49 nm out; 53 nm from the line		330/23 14°	340/24 9°	340/25 3°	320/24 -8°	300/29 -20°	310/39 -36°	310/52 -46°	310/56 -50°
RIC	used from 245 nm out; 64 nm from the line	350/24	350/28 14°	340/25 8°	340/26 5°	340/40 -6°	340/44 -19°	340/48 -33°	330/45 -42°	310/38 -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	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	1,100 ft	726 ft	10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC)
OLE Olean, NY	49 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet	from the west (270°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	500 ft	2,135 ft	15:15 UTC
OYM St Marys, PA	88 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line	no report just now				1,934 ft
UNV State College, PA	127 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet	from the west (280°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	1,400 ft	1,231 ft	14:53 UTC
HGR Hagerstown, MD	196 nm out, 7 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,200 feet	from the northwest (320°) at 14 knots	10+ mi	none	703 ft	15:05 UTC
JYO Leesburg, VA	235 nm out, 7 nm east of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet	from the north-northwest (330°) at 14 knots, gusting to 23	10+ mi	none	389 ft	15:15 UTC
HEF Washington, DC	254 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet	from the north (350°) at 16 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	2,900 ft	192 ft	14:56 UTC
XSA Tappahannock, VA	313 nm out, 24 nm east of the line	reported, no category	calm		2,500 ft	135 ft	15:35 UTC
RIC Richmond, VA	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet	from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25	10+ mi	4,500 ft	167 ft	10:54 am EDT (14:54 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 RIC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:41 pm EDT (17:41 UTC)

Wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RIC

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for BUF, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
30% chance between Tue 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 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 13 nm from the route, 245 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 15 nm from the route, 254 nm along the route · security · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC), at RIC 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

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, Richmond International.