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 02 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 4-knot headwind), arriving about 11:09 am CDT (16:09 UTC). Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 12 knots; IAH 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: 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 539 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 110 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 90 to 419 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 240 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 260 to 270 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
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
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 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 | 300° at 12 kt | +7 kt | 11 °C | 113 kt | 9 h 16 min | 11:23 am CDT (16:23 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 310° at 13 kt | +5 kt | 14 °C | 115 kt | 9 h 07 min | 11:14 am CDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 15 kt | +5 kt | 11 °C | 115 kt | 9 h 07 min | 11:14 am CDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 320° at 16 kt | +4 kt | 8 °C | 116 kt | 9 h 02 min | 11:09 am CDT (16:09 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | +4 kt | 4 °C | 116 kt | 9 h 02 min | 11:09 am CDT (16:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | +6 kt | 0 °C | 114 kt | 9 h 12 min | 11:19 am CDT (16:19 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | +8 kt | -3 °C | 112 kt | 9 h 21 min | 11:28 am CDT (16:28 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 21 kt | +9 kt | -6 °C | 111 kt | 9 h 26 min | 11:33 am CDT (16:33 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 22 kt | +11 kt | -17 °C | 109 kt | 9 h 37 min | 11:44 am CDT (16:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 33 kt | +15 kt | -32 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 59 min | 12:06 pm CDT (17:06 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 38 kt | +15 kt | -40 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 59 min | 12:06 pm CDT (17:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 33 kt | +10 kt | -50 °C | 110 kt | 9 h 32 min | 11:39 am CDT (16:39 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; 71 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; 46 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 250 nm out; 22 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 349 nm out; 12 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° |
| HSV | used from 449 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 310/20 | 330/20 16° | 320/27 11° | 340/23 5° | 320/23 -7° | 340/30 -17° | 320/50 -33° | 330/61 -41° | 340/41 -50° |
| BHM | used from 599 nm out; 85 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° |
| JAN | used from 649 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 230/10 | 270/13 18° | 270/11 12° | 310/11 6° | 300/15 -4° | 300/22 -16° | 310/33 -31° | 320/37 -41° | 330/41 -52° |
| SHV | used from 849 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 200/18 | 230/24 18° | 230/24 12° | 240/14 8° | 260/12 -4° | 240/11 -15° | 300/31 -29° | 300/32 -40° | 300/36 -52° |
| LCH | used from 899 nm out; 63 nm from the line | 160/21 | 160/18 18° | 180/13 12° | 230/6 8° | 280/10 -4° | 260/13 -14° | 310/29 -30° | 320/32 -40° | 330/33 -53° |
| HOU | used from 998 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 160/22 | 150/27 19° | 180/16 14° | 250/7 9° | 270/10 -5° | 270/16 -13° | 310/23 -29° | 310/26 -40° | 330/20 -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 | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 12 knots | 5 mi | 900 ft | 14 ft | 2:52 am EDT (06:52 UTC) |
| HEF Washington, DC | 20 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 7 knots | 3 mi | 900 ft | 192 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| LWB Lewisburg, WV | 170 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the west (280°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 2,301 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 290 nm out, 13 nm south 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 Weather: mist | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 6 mi | 2,000 ft | 1,518 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | 379 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,800 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,800 ft | 986 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 449 nm out, 23 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 682 ft | 07:03 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 529 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the east (090°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS | 649 nm out, 18 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 264 ft | 06:56 UTC |
| TVR Tallulah, LA | 789 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 85 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| AEX Alexandria, LA | 889 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 88 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| JAS Jasper, TX | 959 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 212 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| IAH Houston, TX | destination | VFR Sky: overcast at 22,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 95 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 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, 11:09 am CDT (16:09 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 Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 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 Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 900 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, overcast at 1,200 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, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 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 3,500 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 3,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 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)).
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, George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport.