Plan a flight · Mon 8:18 am EDT (12:18 UTC)

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall to Richmond International BWI → RIC

105 nautical miles (121 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 197°, about 208° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 26-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC). Right now BWI is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots; RIC is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 8 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: 1,461 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 E38E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the northwest at 20 knots, until 9:55 am EDT (13:55 UTC). Near the route, 86 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 121155
MKCE WST 121155
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 38E
VALID UNTIL 1355Z
NJ DE MD VA AND CSTL WTRS
FROM 50WNW SIE-20E SIE-30NNE ORF-20NE RIC-50WNW SIE
AREA TS MOV FROM 33020KT. TOPS TO FL320.

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 first 67 nm of the 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: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Near the route, 29 nm along the 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). Over the last 48 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
SF50 at 3,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 8:15 am EDT (12:15 UTC): a broken layer above 2,000 ft. At the departure end, 36 nm northwest 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
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
B737 at 700 ft, 0 nm south, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
09:33 UTC
Height
at 700 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
light rain
E170 at 1,000 ft, 12 nm west, 7:32 am EDT (11:32 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft. 19 nm along the route, 12 nm west 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
B39M descending, 32 nm northwest, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. 29 nm along the route, 32 nm northwest 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
A320 at 4,000 ft, 6 nm west, 7:03 am EDT (11:03 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: TOPS048. At the destination end, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
RIC UA /OV RIC270006/TM 1103/FL040/TP A320/SK BKN040/RM TOPS048
```
Report
a routine report filed through RIC
Where
6 nm west (270°) of RIC
Time
11:03 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
a broken layer from 4,000 ft
Remarks
TOPS048
PC12 at 1,000 ft, 45 nm southeast, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the destination end, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1042/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010/RM OVC010 DURD RWY25 KPHF
```
Report
a routine report filed through PHF
Where
over KPHF
Time
10:42 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
PC12
Sky
overcast from 1,000 ft
Remarks
OVC010 during the descent runway 25 KPHF

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	−26 kt		146 kt	43 min	9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC)
6,500 ft	340° at 28 kt	−23 kt	11 °C	143 kt	44 min	9:02 am EDT (13:02 UTC)
8,500 ft	340° at 34 kt	−28 kt	9 °C	148 kt	43 min	9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC)
10,500 ft	340° at 33 kt	−25 kt	6 °C	145 kt	43 min	9:01 am EDT (13:01 UTC)
12,500 ft	330° at 31 kt	−20 kt	2 °C	140 kt	45 min	9:03 am EDT (13:03 UTC)
14,500 ft	320° at 31 kt	−18 kt	-2 °C	138 kt	46 min	9:04 am EDT (13:04 UTC)
16,500 ft	310° at 31 kt	−15 kt	-6 °C	135 kt	47 min	9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	310° at 32 kt	−12 kt	-9 °C	132 kt	48 min	9:06 am EDT (13:06 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 34 kt	−18 kt	-21 °C	138 kt	46 min	9:04 am EDT (13:04 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	300° at 37 kt	−8 kt	-34 °C	128 kt	49 min	9:07 am EDT (13:07 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	290° at 37 kt	−2 kt	-39 °C	122 kt	52 min	9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	290° at 42 kt	−2 kt	-46 °C	122 kt	52 min	9:10 am EDT (13:10 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; 81 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 broken layer at 1,900 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet	from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,900 ft	143 ft	7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC)
DCA Washington, DC	19 nm out, 12 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet	from the north (350°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	14 ft	11:52 UTC
XSA Tappahannock, VA	76 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line	reported, no category	calm		1,400 ft	135 ft	12:15 UTC
RIC Richmond, VA	destination	VFR Sky: overcast at 3,900 feet	from the northwest (320°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	3,900 ft	167 ft	7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 167 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, 9:01 am EDT (13:01 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 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, 19 nm along the route · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 22 nm from the route, 19 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at BWI 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 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: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Richmond International.