Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall to Washington Dulles International BWI → IAD
39 nautical miles (45 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 250°, about 261° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 3-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC). Right now BWI is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 10 knots; IAD is VFR, wind variable at 5 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: 42 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 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the whole 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). Near the route, at the destination end.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the last 0 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 BWI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75S at 15,000 ft, 30 nm northeast, 6:35 am EDT (10:35 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: dca arrival from 12,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent. At the departure end, 30 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL060030/TM 1035/FL150/TP E75S/TB MOD/RM DCA ARRIVAL 120-150 DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 30 nm northeast (060°) of BAL
- Time
- 10:35 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- dca arrival from 12,000 ft to 15,000 ft during the descent
- B38M at 2,600 ft, 3 nm west, 9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC): a broken layer above 2,400 ft, remarks: TOP026. At the departure end, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL270003/TM 1305/FL026/TP B38M/SK BKN024/RM TOP026
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of BAL
- Time
- 13:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,600 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,400 ft
- Remarks
- TOP026
- BE55 at 900 ft, 36 nm southeast, 8:34 am EDT (12:34 UTC): a broken layer above 1,100 ft; overcast above 1,900 ft, 15 °C, remarks: during the climb pilot reported base at at 900 ft. At the departure end, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ESN UA /OV ESN/TM 1234/FL009/TP BE55/SK BKN011 OVC019/WX 7/TA 15/WV 35009G16/RM DURC PILOT REPORTED BASE AT 009
- Report
- a routine report filed through ESN
- Where
- over ESN
- Time
- 12:34 UTC
- Height
- at 900 ft
- Aircraft
- BE55
- Sky
- BKN011 OVC019
- Weather
- 7
- Temperature
- 15 °C
- Wind
- 35009G16
- Remarks
- during the climb pilot reported base at at 900 ft
- PC12 at 2,500 ft, 45 nm north, 8:32 am EDT (12:32 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV THV/TM 1232/FL025/TP PC12/SK BASES025
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over THV
- Time
- 12:32 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- BASES025
- SF50 at 2,500 ft, 45 nm north, 8:11 am EDT (12:11 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 45 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV THV/TM 1211/FL025/TP SF50/SK BASES025
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over THV
- Time
- 12:11 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- SF50
- Sky
- BASES025
- B39M at 1,200 ft, 0 nm south, 7:10 am EDT (11:10 UTC): remarks: base 1200FT tops 2000FT. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 1110/FL012/TP B39M/RM BASE 1200FT TOPS 2000FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 11:10 UTC
- Height
- at 1,200 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Remarks
- base 1200FT tops 2000FT
- B783 at 5,000 ft, 3 nm north, 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 10 nm along the route, 3 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 1230/FL50/TP B783/SK BASE 028 TOP 040
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 10 nm west (280°) of BAL
- Time
- 12:30 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B783
- Sky
- base 2,800 ft top 4,000 ft
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 15 nm south, 8:40 am EDT (12:40 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: no bases reported on final approach runway 1. 20 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA190003/TM 1240/FL010/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP/RM NO BASES REPORTED ON FINAL APPROACH RWY1
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 3 nm south (190°) of DCA
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- no bases reported on final approach runway 1
- E170 at 1,000 ft, 12 nm south, 7:32 am EDT (11:32 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft. 20 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 1132/FL010/TP E170/SK BKN012
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- over DCA
- Time
- 11:32 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,200 ft
- SF50 at 3,000 ft, 25 nm north, 8:15 am EDT (12:15 UTC): a broken layer above 2,000 ft. 30 nm along the route, 25 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
FDK UA /OV FDK/TM 1215/FL030/TP SF50/SK BKN020
- Report
- a routine report filed through FDK
- Where
- over FDK
- Time
- 12:15 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SF50
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,000 ft
- UAL1428 at 32,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 7:36 am EDT (11:36 UTC): no turbulence, -39 °C, wind 360° at 59 knots. At the destination end, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1428 3923N 07750W 1136 F320 MS39 360/059KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B39M descending, 0 nm northeast, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 1042/FLDURD/TP B39M/SK OVC 040/WX 10 SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Weather
- 10, miles
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 1 forecast point nearest it (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 350° at 30 kt | −3 kt | 123 kt | 19 min | 9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 340° at 28 kt | 0 | 11 °C | 120 kt | 20 min | 9:29 am EDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 340° at 34 kt | 0 | 9 °C | 120 kt | 20 min | 9:29 am EDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 340° at 33 kt | +3 kt | 6 °C | 117 kt | 20 min | 9:29 am EDT (13:29 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 31 kt | +6 kt | 2 °C | 114 kt | 21 min | 9:30 am EDT (13:30 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 31 kt | +10 kt | -2 °C | 110 kt | 21 min | 9:30 am EDT (13:30 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 31 kt | +13 kt | -6 °C | 107 kt | 22 min | 9:31 am EDT (13:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 32 kt | +16 kt | -9 °C | 104 kt | 22 min | 9:31 am EDT (13:31 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 34 kt | +12 kt | -21 °C | 108 kt | 22 min | 9:31 am EDT (13:31 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 37 kt | +24 kt | -34 °C | 96 kt | 24 min | 9:33 am EDT (13:33 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 37 kt | +28 kt | -39 °C | 92 kt | 25 min | 9:34 am EDT (13:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 42 kt | +32 kt | -46 °C | 88 kt | 27 min | 9:36 am EDT (13:36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 94 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWI Baltimore, MD | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 2,400 ft | 143 ft | 8:54 am EDT (12:54 UTC) |
| DCA Washington, DC | 20 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 14 ft | 12:52 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,500 feet | variable at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 3,500 ft | 312 ft | 8:52 am EDT (12:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 312 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, 9:28 am EDT (13:28 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for IAD
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- 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 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 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 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 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, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for BWI, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,300 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, 20 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 30 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at BWI 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 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: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Washington Dulles International.