Charlotte/Douglas International to Albany International CLT → ALB
562 nautical miles (646 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 034°, about 041° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 23 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:04 am EDT (11:04 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now CLT is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots; ALB is IFR, wind from the north (350°) 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: 2,195 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 E25E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 35,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 4:55 am EDT (08:55 UTC). Near the route, 374 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120655 MKCE WST 120655 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 25E VALID UNTIL 0855Z RI NY NJ PA DE MD AND MA RI NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30SSE PVD-60SSE ACK-110SSE HTO-40N SBY-30SSW ETX-30SSE PVD AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL350.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the first 177 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, 69 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), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 414 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 404 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 128 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft, from 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 10 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 CLT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C560 at 13,000 ft, 36 nm southeast, 2:38 am EDT (06:38 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast above 19,000 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the descent. 384 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 20 NW PHL/TM 0638/FL130 /TP C560/SK OVC190/WX +RA/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 20 northwest phl
- Time
- 06:38 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C560
- Sky
- overcast from 19,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B737 at 800 ft, 29 nm southeast, 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 315 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0730/FL008/TP B737/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 07:30 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 (GSP, ROA, RIC, PSB, AVP, ALB). 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 | 300° at 12 kt | −1 kt | 121 kt | 4 h 39 min | 8:20 am EDT (12:20 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | +5 kt | 13 °C | 115 kt | 4 h 53 min | 8:34 am EDT (12:34 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | +3 kt | 10 °C | 117 kt | 4 h 48 min | 8:29 am EDT (12:29 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | −1 kt | 6 °C | 121 kt | 4 h 39 min | 8:20 am EDT (12:20 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 290° at 15 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 32 min | 8:13 am EDT (12:13 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 280° at 18 kt | −7 kt | 0 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 26 min | 8:07 am EDT (12:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 280° at 21 kt | −10 kt | -4 °C | 130 kt | 4 h 19 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 270° at 25 kt | −14 kt | -8 °C | 134 kt | 4 h 12 min | 7:53 am EDT (11:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 270° at 26 kt | −14 kt | -9 °C | 134 kt | 4 h 12 min | 7:53 am EDT (11:53 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 31 kt | −24 kt | -21 °C | 144 kt | 3 h 54 min | 7:35 am EDT (11:35 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 43 kt | −37 kt | -33 °C | 157 kt | 3 h 35 min | 7:16 am EDT (11:16 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 51 kt | −46 kt | -40 °C | 166 kt | 3 h 23 min | 7:04 am EDT (11:04 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 46 kt | −39 kt | -49 °C | 159 kt | 3 h 32 min | 7:13 am EDT (11:13 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 320/22 | 340/19 13° | 320/18 8° | 310/24 5° | 300/34 -7° | 300/36 -18° | 290/30 -33° | 300/32 -39° | 320/42 -49° |
| ROA | used from 49 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| RIC | used from 197 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| PSB | used from 296 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| AVP | used from 345 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 150/5 | 350/13 12° | 270/20 8° | 260/17 4° | 260/25 -11° | 240/31 -22° | 240/54 -35° | 230/61 -41° | 240/55 -49° |
| ALB | used from 493 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 120/9 | 270/8 10° | L/V 5° | 260/9 1° | 260/34 -10° | 250/42 -22° | 240/57 -35° | 240/70 -42° | 240/65 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLT Charlotte, NC | departure | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 2:52 am EDT (06:52 UTC) |
| JQF Concord, NC | 20 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 704 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| INT Winston Salem, NC | 69 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (260°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 969 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 148 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 938 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 217 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 640 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | 276 nm out, 8 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northwest (340°) at 11 knots | 4 mi | 900 ft | 312 ft | 06:52 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 286 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northwest (340°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 389 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| LNS Lancaster, PA | 365 nm out, 9 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 402 ft | 07:11 UTC |
| RDG Reading, PA | 394 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 4 mi | 700 ft | 343 ft | 07:34 UTC |
| MSV Monticello, NY | 483 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 1,403 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| ALB Albany, NY | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the north (350°) at 5 knots | 3 mi | 600 ft | 284 ft | 2:51 am EDT (06:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,403 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ALB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:04 am EDT (11:04 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for ALB
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
The forecast for CLT, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 11 nm from the route, 286 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 286 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at CLT 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC), at ALB 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ALB is before sunrise there (7:04 am EDT (11:04 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: Charlotte/Douglas International, Albany International.