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

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to William P Hobby Airport DCA → HOU

1,058 nautical miles (1,217 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 244°, about 255° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 49 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, no wind along the track), arriving about 4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC). Right now DCA is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 10 knots; HOU is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 6 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: 2,063 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

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 519 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 150 nm of 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). Near the route, at the departure end.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 269 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 130 to 439 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 210 nm along the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist, fog). Over the route from 609 to 888 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

E170 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm north, 7:32 am EDT (11:32 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm north 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 at 1,200 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:10 am EDT (11:10 UTC): remarks: base 1200FT tops 2000FT. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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, 26 nm northeast, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast 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
UAL1428 at 32,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 7:36 am EDT (11:36 UTC): no turbulence, -39 °C, wind 360° at 59 knots. At the departure end, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL1428 3923N 07750W 1136 F320 MS39 360/059KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
B39M descending, 15 nm north, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 15 nm north 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
E75L descending, 16 nm southeast, 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 170 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 1109/FLDURD/TP E75L/SK BKN037 050
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROA
Where
over ROA
Time
11:09 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
BKN037 at 5,000 ft
CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 10 nm southeast, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 299 nm along the route, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
booie
Time
10:10 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
E75L at 5,000 ft, 7 nm south, 8:03 am EDT (12:03 UTC): overcast up to 1,100 ft. 379 nm along the route, 7 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV TYS230005/TM 1203/FL050/TP E75L/SK OVC-TOP011
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
5 nm southwest (230°) of TYS
Time
12:03 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
overcast, tops 1,100 ft
B38M at 35,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 6:04 am EDT (10:04 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 39. 439 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV GQO110025/TM 1004/FL350/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 39
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm east (110°) of GQO
Time
10:04 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 39
B739 at 36,000 ft, 22 nm northwest, 7:34 am EDT (11:34 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 36. 449 nm along the route, 22 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV HCH250025/TM 1134/FL360/TP B739/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 36
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm west (250°) of HCH
Time
11:34 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 36
C56X at 1,000 ft, 15 nm south, 7:04 am EDT (11:04 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 449 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1104/FL010/TP C56X/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
11:04 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
C56X
Sky
TOP010
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
CRJ9 at 1,000 ft, 15 nm south, 6:15 am EDT (10:15 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 449 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1015/FL010/TP CRJ9/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
10:15 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
TOP010
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
BE36 at 8,000 ft, 25 nm southeast, 7:18 am EDT (11:18 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZME65. 778 nm along the route, 25 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JAN UA /OV MHZ225040/TM 1118/FL080/TP BE36/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZME65
```
Report
a routine report filed through JAN
Where
40 nm southwest (225°) of MHZ
Time
11:18 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
ZME65
A21N at 32,000 ft, 17 nm northwest, 8:04 am EDT (12:04 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zhu. At the destination end, 17 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAH UA /OV KDAS134010/TM 1204/FL320/TP A21N/TB NEG/RM ZHU
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAH
Where
10 nm southeast (134°) of KDAS
Time
12:04 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
none
Remarks
zhu

1 more routine reports are on the map.

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 9 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, HSV, BHM, JAN, LCH, HOU). 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	310° at 12 kt	+4 kt	11 °C	116 kt	9 h 07 min	4:19 pm CDT (21:19 UTC)
6,500 ft	320° at 12 kt	+2 kt	14 °C	118 kt	8 h 58 min	4:10 pm CDT (21:10 UTC)
8,500 ft	330° at 15 kt	0	11 °C	120 kt	8 h 49 min	4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC)
10,500 ft	330° at 15 kt	0	8 °C	120 kt	8 h 49 min	4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC)
12,500 ft	330° at 15 kt	0	4 °C	120 kt	8 h 49 min	4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC)
14,500 ft	330° at 18 kt	+1 kt	0 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC)
16,500 ft	320° at 20 kt	+2 kt	-3 °C	118 kt	8 h 58 min	4:10 pm CDT (21:10 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 22 kt	+3 kt	-6 °C	117 kt	9 h 03 min	4:15 pm CDT (21:15 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 25 kt	+4 kt	-18 °C	116 kt	9 h 07 min	4:19 pm CDT (21:19 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	330° at 38 kt	+1 kt	-32 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:05 pm CDT (21:05 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	330° at 42 kt	0	-40 °C	120 kt	8 h 49 min	4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	320° at 38 kt	+3 kt	-50 °C	117 kt	9 h 03 min	4:15 pm CDT (21:15 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; 70 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°
ROA	used from 100 nm out; 45 nm from the line	310/32	340/32 14°	350/25 9°	340/24 3°	340/42 -8°	340/52 -20°	350/62 -34°	350/64 -39°	310/44 -48°
TRI	used from 249 nm out; 20 nm from the line		340/25 11°	350/37 9°	350/34 6°	340/39 -7°	340/43 -19°	340/55 -32°	330/58 -42°	320/37 -50°
TYS	used from 349 nm out; 6 nm from the line	330/16	350/32 14°	350/37 9°	340/30 5°	330/28 -6°	340/36 -19°	330/40 -33°	330/51 -41°	330/36 -51°
HSV	used from 449 nm out; 58 nm from the line	300/20	310/14 16°	310/18 10°	310/15 4°	320/19 -5°	290/16 -18°	320/36 -32°	320/47 -41°	330/42 -50°
BHM	used from 599 nm out; 77 nm from the line	310/19	310/15 16°	320/19 11°	330/15 5°	330/23 -5°	320/14 -18°	320/36 -32°	330/44 -40°	340/36 -51°
JAN	used from 649 nm out; 76 nm from the line	240/10	260/15 18°	280/10 11°	290/6 6°	290/15 -5°	300/15 -17°	320/35 -30°	330/38 -40°	330/39 -51°
LCH	used from 848 nm out; 90 nm from the line	170/21	160/23 18°	170/13 13°	170/6 8°	300/12 -7°	280/16 -14°	320/27 -30°	330/23 -41°	340/38 -51°
HOU	used from 998 nm out; 35 nm from the line	180/22	180/20 16°	170/7 15°	L/V 8°	220/11 -6°	260/15 -13°	310/20 -30°	320/20 -40°	350/32 -51°

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	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	7:52 am EDT (11:52 UTC)
HEF Washington, DC	20 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,600 feet	from the north-northwest (330°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	3,600 ft	192 ft	11:56 UTC
ROA Roanoke, VA	170 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,400 feet	from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots, gusting to 21	10+ mi	3,400 ft	1,175 ft	11:54 UTC
TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN	289 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet	from the west (270°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	1,900 ft	1,518 ft	11:53 UTC
TYS Knoxville, TN	379 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower	low IFR Weather: fog	from the southwest (220°) at 6 knots	0.25 mi	none	986 ft	11:53 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	449 nm out, 15 nm south of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	from the west (270°) at 3 knots	0.13 mi	200 ft	682 ft	11:53 UTC
HSV Huntsville, AL	529 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 13,000 feet	from the east (100°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	628 ft	11:53 UTC
GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS	649 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	264 ft	11:56 UTC
HKS Jackson, MS	748 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	8 mi	none	341 ft	11:53 UTC
AEX Alexandria, LA	888 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog	calm	0.25 mi	100 ft	88 ft	12:02 UTC
BPT Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX	998 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	14 ft	11:53 UTC
HOU Houston, TX	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 23,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	23,000 ft	46 ft	6:53 am CDT (11:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,518 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At HOU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:01 pm CDT (21:01 UTC)

Wind from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for HOU

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) and 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet

The forecast for DCA, the departure

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-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 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
From Mon 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest 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 9 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 on the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 12 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 HOU 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 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 now, the lower Mississippi valley · 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, William P Hobby Airport.