Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Buffalo Niagara International DCA → BUF
257 nautical miles (296 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 343°, about 354° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 38 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 37-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots; BUF is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) 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: 2,157 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 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 20 to 59 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 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 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 237 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 208 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 59 to 218 nm out.
- 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 route from 69 to 178 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 ft. Near the route, 228 nm along 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 DCA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C25B at 25,000 ft, 6 nm west, 5:47 pm EDT (21:47 UTC): moderate rime icing, 0 °C. 129 nm along the route, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSB UA /OV PSB/TM 2147/FL250/TP C25B/TA 0/IC MOD RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSB
- Where
- over PSB
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime
- E170 at 25,000 ft, 9 nm northeast, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): moderate turbulence above 25,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 9 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF120010/TM 2237/FL250/TP E170/TB MOD 250/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (120°) of BUF
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate at 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- DH8D at 19,000 ft, 48 nm east, 7:35 pm EDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2335/FL190/TP DH8D/TB CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- DH8D
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- A320 descending, 0 nm north, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north 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, 0 nm north, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north 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
- C17 at 500 ft, 8 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV RWY 1L ARR/TM 2342/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- runway 1L arrival
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CL60 descending, 24 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm west 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, 23 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 23 nm west 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
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 8 nm east, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV 1L DEP/TM 2247/FL010/TP B737/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- 1L departure
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- DA62 at 700 ft, 45 nm east, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): no turbulence, overcast above 700 ft, mist, 23 °C, wind 190° at 8 knots. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ESN UA /OV ESN/TM 2222/FL007/TP DA62/SK OVC007/WX 5BR/TA 23/WV 19008/TB TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through ESN
- Where
- over ESN
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- DA62
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Weather
- 5BR
- Temperature
- 23 °C
- Wind
- from 190° at 8 knots
- Turbulence
- turbulence no
- A21N at 600 ft, 22 nm northeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- B763 at 500 ft, 22 nm northeast, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2350/FL005/TP B763/SK BKN005
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 23:50 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 500 ft
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 6 nm west, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 6 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA320012/TM 2317/FL070/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 005 OVC TOPS 072
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 12 nm northwest (320°) of DCA
- Time
- 23:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 500 ft overcast tops 7,200 ft
- B738 at 300 ft, 22 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a broken layer above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2229/FL003/TP B738/SK BKN003
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 300 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 300 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 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, PSB, BUF). 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 | 220° at 13 kt | −6 kt | 13 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:39 pm EDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 11 kt | −4 kt | 12 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 04 min | 10:41 pm EDT (02:41 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 11 kt | −6 kt | 9 °C | 126 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:39 pm EDT (02:39 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 13 kt | −8 kt | 6 °C | 128 kt | 2 h | 10:37 pm EDT (02:37 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 16 kt | −10 kt | 3 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 59 min | 10:36 pm EDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | −10 kt | -2 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 59 min | 10:36 pm EDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −10 kt | -7 °C | 130 kt | 1 h 59 min | 10:36 pm EDT (02:36 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 27 kt | −11 kt | -10 °C | 131 kt | 1 h 58 min | 10:35 pm EDT (02:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 38 kt | −21 kt | -20 °C | 141 kt | 1 h 49 min | 10:26 pm EDT (02:26 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 69 kt | −37 kt | -32 °C | 157 kt | 1 h 38 min | 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 72 kt | −37 kt | -40 °C | 157 kt | 1 h 38 min | 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 66 kt | −28 kt | -50 °C | 148 kt | 1 h 44 min | 10:21 pm EDT (02:21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 105 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 49 nm out; 58 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° | |
| BUF | used from 198 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 170/19 | L/V 10° | 040/9 6° | 220/8 2° | 230/15 -11° | 220/33 -22° | 220/47 -35° | 230/55 -41° | 230/56 -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 600 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 14 ft | 7:52 pm EDT (23:52 UTC) |
| FDK Frederick, MD | 40 nm out, 6 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 308 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 59 nm out, 16 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet | from the north (350°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 703 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| RVL Reedsville, PA | 109 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 5 knots | 1.75 mi | 1,100 ft | 818 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| UNV State College, PA | 129 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 900 ft | 1,231 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| OLE Olean, NY | 208 nm out, 5 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the east (080°) at 5 knots | 2 mi | 200 ft | 2,135 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | VFR Sky: overcast at 4,900 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 4,900 ft | 726 ft | 7:54 pm EDT (23:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,135 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC)
Wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for BUF
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, 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
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 25 nm from the route, 20 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 20 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BUF is after sunset there (6:39 pm EDT (22:39 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, Buffalo Niagara International.