Plan a flight · Sun 8:37 pm EDT (00:37 UTC)

Columbia Metro Airport to Harrisburg International CAE → MDT

429 nautical miles (494 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 028°, about 035° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 09 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 80-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CAE is VFR, wind from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots; MDT is marginal VFR, wind from the north (010°) at 3 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: 31 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 E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 170 to 300 nm out.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
PA MD VA NC WV OH KY
FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC
AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.

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 360 to 419 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 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Near the route, 160 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 210 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 140 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 40 nm of the route.
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 last 20 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.

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 CAE.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

E145 at 9,000 ft, 14 nm northwest, 5:56 pm EDT (21:56 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast up to 9,000 ft, heavy rain. 220 nm along the route, 14 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LYH UA /OV LYH/TM 2156/FL090/TP E145/SK OVCUNKN-TOP090/WX +RA/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through LYH
Where
over LYH
Time
21:56 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
overcast, tops 9,000 ft
Weather
heavy rain
Turbulence
moderate
E170 at 22,500 ft, 43 nm northwest, 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. 340 nm along the route, 43 nm northwest 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
PA32 at 7,000 ft, 30 nm west, 8:17 pm EDT (00:17 UTC): 8 °C, remarks: smooth. At the departure end, 30 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AGS UA /OV KAIK360010/TM 0017/FL070/TP PA32/WX FV99SM/TA 8/RM SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through AGS
Where
10 nm north (360°) of KAIK
Time
00:17 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
PA32
Weather
flight visibility 99 miles
Temperature
8 °C
Remarks
smooth
C525 at 2,300 ft, 50 nm southwest, 6:15 pm EDT (22:15 UTC): light turbulence, scattered clouds above 2,300 ft. At the departure end, 50 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AGS UA /OV AGS090006/TM 2215/FL023/TP C525/SK SCT 023/TB LGT TB
```
Report
a routine report filed through AGS
Where
6 nm east (090°) of AGS
Time
22:15 UTC
Height
at 2,300 ft
Aircraft
C525
Sky
scattered clouds from 2,300 ft
Turbulence
light turbulence
SR22 at 8,000 ft, 41 nm southeast, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): no turbulence, clear, remarks: thin layer below but can see lights from the ground. 70 nm along the route, 41 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FLO UA /OV BBP/TM 0018/FL080/TP SR22/SK CLR/TB SMOOTH/RM THIN LAYER BELOW BUT CAN SEE LIGHTS FROM THE GROUND
```
Report
a routine report filed through FLO
Where
over BBP
Time
00:18 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
SR22
Sky
clear
Turbulence
smooth
Remarks
thin layer below but can see lights from the ground
CRJ7 descending, 10 nm west, 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC): a broken layer above 4,500 ft. 140 nm along the route, 10 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV GSO/TM 2232/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK BKN045
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
over GSO
Time
22:32 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
CRJ7
Sky
a broken layer from 4,500 ft
B763 at 3,000 ft, 9 nm west, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 150 nm along the route, 9 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV HEVED/TM 2326/FL030/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
heved
Time
23:26 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
B763 descending, 8 nm west, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 150 nm along the route, 8 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
GSO UA /OV 10 NE GSO/TM 2324/FLDURD/TP B763/SK BKN030
```
Report
a routine report filed through GSO
Where
10 northeast gso
Time
23:24 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B763
Sky
a broken layer from 3,000 ft
E170 at 500 ft, 8 nm northwest, 8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 280 nm along the route, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV CHO/TM 0001/FL005/TP E170/SK OVC005
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
over CHO
Time
00:01 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
E170
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
E175 at 600 ft, 8 nm northwest, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 280 nm along the route, 8 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHO UA /OV CHO/TM 2220/FL006/TP E175/SK BASES 006
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHO
Where
over CHO
Time
22:20 UTC
Height
at 600 ft
Aircraft
E175
Sky
bases 600 ft
CL60 descending, 16 nm southeast, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 340 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
1 nm south (160°) of HEF
Time
23:30 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
CL60
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
CL60 at 500 ft, 16 nm southeast, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 340 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through HEF
Where
1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
Time
23:30 UTC
Height
at 500 ft
Aircraft
CL60
Sky
overcast from 500 ft
Remarks
during the descent
A320 descending, 30 nm east, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 350 nm along the route, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 0027/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BASES 400 FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
runway 1 final
Time
00:27 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Sky
bases 40,000 ft ft
A319 descending, 30 nm east, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 350 nm along the route, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 DEPARTURE/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP A319/SK BASES 500 FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
runway 1 departure
Time
00:02 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
A319
Sky
bases 50,000 ft ft

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 6 forecast points nearest it (CAE, FLO, RDU, ROA, RIC, 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
3,500 ft	230° at 22 kt	−20 kt		140 kt	3 h 04 min	11:41 pm EDT (03:41 UTC)
5,500 ft	250° at 18 kt	−14 kt	13 °C	134 kt	3 h 12 min	11:49 pm EDT (03:49 UTC)
7,500 ft	240° at 20 kt	−17 kt	11 °C	137 kt	3 h 08 min	11:45 pm EDT (03:45 UTC)
9,500 ft	230° at 24 kt	−21 kt	9 °C	141 kt	3 h 03 min	11:40 pm EDT (03:40 UTC)
11,500 ft	230° at 27 kt	−25 kt	7 °C	145 kt	2 h 58 min	11:35 pm EDT (03:35 UTC)
13,500 ft	230° at 31 kt	−28 kt	3 °C	148 kt	2 h 54 min	11:31 pm EDT (03:31 UTC)
15,500 ft	230° at 34 kt	−31 kt	-1 °C	151 kt	2 h 50 min	11:27 pm EDT (03:27 UTC)
17,500 ft	230° at 38 kt	−35 kt	-5 °C	155 kt	2 h 46 min	11:23 pm EDT (03:23 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	230° at 39 kt	−35 kt	-6 °C	155 kt	2 h 46 min	11:23 pm EDT (03:23 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	220° at 57 kt	−55 kt	-17 °C	175 kt	2 h 27 min	11:04 pm EDT (03:04 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	220° at 78 kt	−77 kt	-30 °C	197 kt	2 h 11 min	10:48 pm EDT (02:48 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	220° at 81 kt	−80 kt	-40 °C	200 kt	2 h 09 min	10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	220° at 73 kt	−71 kt	-51 °C	191 kt	2 h 15 min	10:52 pm EDT (02:52 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
CAE	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	260/27	310/26 11°	280/31 9°	270/36 7°	250/39 -4°	230/57 -16°	220/74 -30°	220/83 -40°	220/73 -51°
FLO	used from 50 nm out; 61 nm from the line	240/25	270/23 11°	250/36 10°	240/38 7°	240/50 -4°	230/66 -15°	220/75 -30°	210/77 -40°	220/73 -52°
RDU	used from 100 nm out; 56 nm from the line	240/28	250/22 10°	230/30 11°	230/40 7°	230/45 -4°	220/69 -15°	220/83 -29°	210/84 -40°	220/75 -52°
ROA	used from 200 nm out; 50 nm from the line	280/9	290/15 12°	290/11 8°	210/6 3°	210/30 -6°	220/46 -19°	210/74 -30°	220/78 -39°	220/64 -48°
RIC	used from 250 nm out; 59 nm from the line	190/33	200/29 14°	210/31 12°	210/38 6°	230/42 -7°	230/68 -16°	220/84 -29°	220/86 -40°	220/81 -52°
PSB	used from 350 nm out; 95 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
CAE Columbia, SC	departure	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,600 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	235 ft	8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC)
FDW Winnsboro, SC	20 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,700 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	2,700 ft	577 ft	00:15 UTC
EQY Monroe, NC	70 nm out, 9 nm west of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet	from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	682 ft	23:53 UTC
VUJ Albemarle, NC	100 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: overcast at 4,800 feet	from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	4,800 ft	609 ft	00:15 UTC
GSO Greensboro, NC	140 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	5,000 ft	925 ft	00:23 UTC
DAN Danville, VA	180 nm out, 2 nm east of the line	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,700 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	5,500 ft	571 ft	23:53 UTC
LYH Lynchburg, VA	220 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	2,700 ft	938 ft	00:32 UTC
CHO Charlottesville, VA	280 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the north (010°) at 6 knots	5 mi	600 ft	640 ft	00:11 UTC
HEF Washington, DC	340 nm out, 15 nm southeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet	from the north (360°) at 8 knots	3 mi	500 ft	192 ft	23:56 UTC
JYO Leesburg, VA	350 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle	from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots	7 mi	500 ft	389 ft	23:35 UTC
THV York, PA	410 nm out, 5 nm east of the line	IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: heavy rain, mist	from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots	2 mi	800 ft	494 ft	00:25 UTC
MDT Harrisburg, PA	destination	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet	from the north (010°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	1,000 ft	310 ft	7:56 pm EDT (23:56 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 938 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At MDT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC)

Wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet marginal VFR

The whole forecast for MDT

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet
From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet

The forecast for CAE, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 15 nm from the route, 360 nm along the route · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, 360 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at CAE 6:54 pm EDT (22:54 UTC), at MDT 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MDT is after sunset there (6:33 pm EDT (22:33 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 Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Northeast · 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: Columbia Metro Airport, Harrisburg International.