Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International DCA → BHM
567 nautical miles (653 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 239°, about 250° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 1-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:59 am CDT (09:59 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north (350°) at 7 knots; BHM is VFR, wind calm. 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: 1,990 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 E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the first 139 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120455 MKCE WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E VALID UNTIL 0655Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.
- 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 507 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 119 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 318 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 109 to 428 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 239 to 398 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 DCA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 20,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 20,000 ft to 25,000 ft. 30 nm along the route, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300020/TM 0311/FL200/TP B38M/TB MOD CAT 200-250
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 03:11 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence from 20,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- B712 descending, 26 nm northeast, 11:10 pm EDT (03:10 UTC): remarks: light rain light chop bases 50,000 ft ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV RWY 15R/TM 0310/FLDURD/TP B712/RM LIGHT RAIN. LIGHT CHOP. BASES 500 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- runway 15R
- Time
- 03:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B712
- Remarks
- light rain light chop bases 50,000 ft ft
- B738 descending, 29 nm northwest, 11:15 pm EDT (03:15 UTC): remarks: multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft. 378 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0315/FLDURD/TP B738/RM MULTIPLE LAYERS FROM 052-047 OVC AT 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 03:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- multiple layers from from 5,200 ft to 4,700 ft overcast at at 2,300 ft
- A319 descending, 29 nm northwest, 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC): remarks: tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 ft. 378 nm along the route, 29 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV KTYS/TM 0252/FLDURD/TP A319/RM TOPS 068 BASES 023
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over KTYS
- Time
- 02:52 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Remarks
- tops 6,800 ft bases 2,300 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 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 6 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, ATL, BHM). 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 | 320° at 23 kt | +3 kt | 11 °C | 117 kt | 4 h 51 min | 5:09 am CDT (10:09 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 24 kt | 0 | 12 °C | 120 kt | 4 h 44 min | 5:02 am CDT (10:02 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 26 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 4 h 41 min | 4:59 am CDT (09:59 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 25 kt | −1 kt | 6 °C | 121 kt | 4 h 41 min | 4:59 am CDT (09:59 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 24 kt | +1 kt | 3 °C | 119 kt | 4 h 46 min | 5:04 am CDT (10:04 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 25 kt | +4 kt | -1 °C | 116 kt | 4 h 53 min | 5:11 am CDT (10:11 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 26 kt | +7 kt | -4 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 01 min | 5:19 am CDT (10:19 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 27 kt | +10 kt | -7 °C | 110 kt | 5 h 09 min | 5:27 am CDT (10:27 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 28 kt | +14 kt | -19 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 21 min | 5:39 am CDT (10:39 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 34 kt | +16 kt | -32 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 27 min | 5:45 am CDT (10:45 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 38 kt | +21 kt | -39 °C | 99 kt | 5 h 44 min | 6:02 am CDT (11:02 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 33 kt | +18 kt | -48 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 34 min | 5:52 am CDT (10:52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 68 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° |
| ROA | used from 100 nm out; 42 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° |
| TRI | used from 249 nm out; 26 nm from the line | 330/22 11° | 330/29 7° | 330/32 3° | 330/36 -8° | 320/34 -19° | 320/36 -34° | 320/43 -39° | 320/46 -47° | |
| TYS | used from 348 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 320/20 | 340/18 11° | 340/32 9° | 340/36 4° | 330/37 -7° | 330/38 -19° | 330/50 -34° | 330/53 -38° | 330/44 -48° |
| ATL | used from 448 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 320/30 | 330/37 16° | 340/44 11° | 330/35 7° | 310/33 -6° | 300/38 -18° | 330/58 -33° | 330/48 -40° | 320/34 -49° |
| BHM | used from 498 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 310/19 | 330/20 17° | 320/28 11° | 340/21 6° | 310/22 -7° | 330/33 -17° | 330/50 -32° | 330/57 -41° | 330/41 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCA Washington, DC | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 7 mi | 900 ft | 14 ft | 12:58 am EDT (04:58 UTC) |
| HEF Washington, DC | 20 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 8 knots | 3 mi | 700 ft | 192 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 80 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 640 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 169 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,800 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 1,175 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| BCB Blacksburg, VA | 189 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 9 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 2,119 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| MKJ Marion/Wytheville, VA | 239 nm out, 11 nm north of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | from the west (270°) at 13 knots, gusting to 18 | 7 mi | 1,200 ft | 2,558 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 289 nm out, 18 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 1,518 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| GKT Sevierville, TN | 358 nm out, 18 nm northwest of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 1,013 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| DNN Dalton, GA | 448 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | VFR | calm | 8 mi | none | 709 ft | 05:15 UTC |
| RMG Rome, GA | 478 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 100 ft | 644 ft | 05:06 UTC | |
| GAD Gadsden, AL | 527 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the north (010°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 569 ft | 15:56 UTC |
| BHM Birmingham, AL | destination | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 650 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,558 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BHM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:59 am CDT (09:59 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BHM
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 7 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at BHM 6:17 pm CDT (23:17 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BHM is before sunrise there (6:49 am CDT (11:49 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International.