Plan a flight · Sun 9:57 pm EDT (01:57 UTC)

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport DCA → IAH

1,048 nautical miles (1,206 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 245°, about 256° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot headwind), arriving about 6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is low IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots; IAH is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 8 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: 6,400 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 419 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 60 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 80 to 429 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 190 to 250 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 22,500 ft, 50 nm north, 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. 60 nm along the route, 50 nm north 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
PA46 at 23,000 ft, 26 nm south, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 270 nm along the route, 26 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
10 nm east (090°) of HMV
Time
23:28 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
PA46
Turbulence
light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
Remarks
ZTLFD-44
A321 at 30,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence. 310 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IND UA /OV AZQ170020/TM 2345/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD
```
Report
a routine report filed through IND
Where
20 nm south (170°) of AZQ
Time
23:45 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
moderate
BE40 at 29,000 ft, 39 nm northwest, 7:22 pm EDT (23:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 29,000 ft, remarks: zme. 589 nm along the route, 39 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TUP UA /OV TUP045041/TM 2322/FL290/TP BE40/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 290-260/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through TUP
Where
41 nm northeast (045°) of TUP
Time
23:22 UTC
Height
at 29,000 ft
Aircraft
BE40
Turbulence
occasional moderate chop from 29,000 ft to 26,000 ft
Remarks
zme
A320 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. At the departure end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 0146/FL020/TP A320/SK BKN003-TOP045/RM CONLE5 SID
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
5 nm south (180°) of BAL
Time
01:46 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Sky
a broken layer from 300 ft, tops 4,500 ft
Remarks
CONLE5 sid
B738 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. At the departure end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL260003/TM 0143/FL20/TP B738/SK BKN004-TOP072/RM TERPZ8 SID
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
3 nm west (260°) of BAL
Time
01:43 UTC
Height
at 2,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
a broken layer from 400 ft, tops 7,200 ft
Remarks
TERPZ8 sid
B38M at 400 ft, 0 nm north, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 0115/FL004/TP B38M/SK OVC004
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
over DCA
Time
01:15 UTC
Height
at 400 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Sky
overcast from 400 ft
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
A21N at 600 ft, 26 nm northeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the departure end, 26 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
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
B763 at 500 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 26 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
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
B738 at 7,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 2340/FL070/TP B738/SK OVC004/RM TOP 065
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
10 nm west (280°) of BAL
Time
23:40 UTC
Height
at 7,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 400 ft
Remarks
top 6,500 ft
CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm northwest 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

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 10 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, HSV, BHM, JAN, SHV, 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	280° at 11 kt	+8 kt	11 °C	112 kt	9 h 21 min	6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC)
6,500 ft	300° at 14 kt	+8 kt	14 °C	112 kt	9 h 21 min	6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC)
8,500 ft	290° at 14 kt	+8 kt	11 °C	112 kt	9 h 21 min	6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC)
10,500 ft	300° at 15 kt	+8 kt	8 °C	112 kt	9 h 21 min	6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC)
12,500 ft	300° at 16 kt	+9 kt	4 °C	111 kt	9 h 26 min	6:23 am CDT (11:23 UTC)
14,500 ft	290° at 18 kt	+10 kt	0 °C	110 kt	9 h 32 min	6:29 am CDT (11:29 UTC)
16,500 ft	290° at 19 kt	+12 kt	-3 °C	108 kt	9 h 42 min	6:39 am CDT (11:39 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	290° at 21 kt	+14 kt	-6 °C	106 kt	9 h 53 min	6:50 am CDT (11:50 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	270° at 26 kt	+21 kt	-17 °C	99 kt	10 h 35 min	7:32 am CDT (12:32 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	270° at 32 kt	+25 kt	-32 °C	95 kt	11 h 02 min	7:59 am CDT (12:59 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	280° at 32 kt	+24 kt	-40 °C	96 kt	10 h 55 min	7:52 am CDT (12:52 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 31 kt	+23 kt	-50 °C	97 kt	10 h 48 min	7:45 am CDT (12:45 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; 71 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°
ROA	used from 100 nm out; 46 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°
TRI	used from 250 nm out; 22 nm from the line		310/28 11°	320/32 7°	330/30 2°	300/28 -9°	280/34 -21°	250/37 -31°	240/39 -38°	250/35 -48°
TYS	used from 349 nm out; 12 nm from the line	290/19	310/22 11°	330/25 7°	330/34 3°	320/37 -7°	300/37 -18°	300/37 -34°	280/29 -39°	270/29 -48°
HSV	used from 449 nm out; 58 nm from the line	290/15	330/34 16°	330/38 11°	330/40 5°	320/36 -7°	320/31 -18°	320/44 -34°	330/53 -41°	330/34 -48°
BHM	used from 599 nm out; 85 nm from the line	300/16	330/32 16°	320/37 11°	330/37 6°	310/33 -7°	310/30 -18°	320/40 -34°	330/43 -41°	330/30 -49°
JAN	used from 649 nm out; 80 nm from the line	260/6	310/14 17°	280/13 12°	290/19 6°	310/22 -5°	310/28 -17°	320/44 -32°	330/48 -41°	320/52 -51°
SHV	used from 849 nm out; 81 nm from the line	190/11	230/19 17°	230/26 12°	260/15 7°	280/16 -4°	300/17 -15°	300/34 -30°	300/31 -41°	310/42 -52°
LCH	used from 899 nm out; 63 nm from the line	190/6	180/8 18°	170/13 12°	220/12 7°	290/10 -4°	280/15 -14°	320/30 -31°	320/32 -40°	320/39 -53°
HOU	used from 998 nm out; 39 nm from the line	160/18	160/14 17°	180/19 12°	190/11 8°	260/12 -4°	260/14 -13°	310/26 -30°	310/30 -40°	320/21 -52°

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	low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain	from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots	9 mi	400 ft	14 ft	9:52 pm EDT (01:52 UTC)
HEF Washington, DC	20 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain	from the north (350°) at 7 knots	3 mi	500 ft	192 ft	00:56 UTC
LWB Lewisburg, WV	170 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain	calm	3 mi	1,200 ft	2,301 ft	22:51 UTC
TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN	290 nm out, 13 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	1,600 ft	1,518 ft	01:53 UTC
TYS Knoxville, TN	379 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	1,300 ft	986 ft	01:53 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	449 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,300 feet, scattered clouds at 2,900 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	682 ft	01:53 UTC
HSV Huntsville, AL	529 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	628 ft	00:53 UTC
GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS	649 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	264 ft	00:56 UTC
TVR Tallulah, LA	789 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	85 ft	01:53 UTC
AEX Alexandria, LA	889 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (170°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	88 ft	01:53 UTC
JAS Jasper, TX	959 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line	VFR	variable at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	212 ft	01:35 UTC
IAH Houston, TX	destination	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet	from the southeast (140°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	95 ft	8:53 pm CDT (01:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,301 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At IAH when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC)

Wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for IAH

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): light rain showers

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
6/8600 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 IAH 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IAH is before sunrise there (7:21 am CDT (12:21 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 lower Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the southern Plains · 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, George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport.