Plan a flight · Mon 9:02 am EDT (13:02 UTC)

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to MC Allen International DCA → MFE

1,310 nautical miles (1,508 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 241°, about 252° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 34 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 4-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:36 pm CDT (23:36 UTC). Right now DCA is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 12 knots; MFE is marginal VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) 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: 1 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 506 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 149 nm of the route.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 308 nm out.
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). Over the route from 50 to 129 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 149 to 437 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 218 to 298 nm out.
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 586 to 923 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

B737 at 1,000 ft, 3 nm south, 8:40 am EDT (12:40 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: no bases reported on final approach runway 1. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DCA UA /OV DCA190003/TM 1240/FL010/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP/RM NO BASES REPORTED ON FINAL APPROACH RWY1
```
Report
a routine report filed through DCA
Where
3 nm south (190°) of DCA
Time
12:40 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
no bases reported on final approach runway 1
BE55 at 900 ft, 45 nm east, 8:34 am EDT (12:34 UTC): a broken layer above 1,100 ft; overcast above 1,900 ft, 15 °C, remarks: during the climb pilot reported base at at 900 ft. At the departure end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ESN UA /OV ESN/TM 1234/FL009/TP BE55/SK BKN011 OVC019/WX 7/TA 15/WV 35009G16/RM DURC PILOT REPORTED BASE AT 009
```
Report
a routine report filed through ESN
Where
over ESN
Time
12:34 UTC
Height
at 900 ft
Aircraft
BE55
Sky
BKN011 OVC019
Weather
7
Temperature
15 °C
Wind
35009G16
Remarks
during the climb pilot reported base at at 900 ft
B783 at 5,000 ft, 20 nm north, 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 1230/FL50/TP B783/SK BASE 028 TOP 040
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
10 nm west (280°) of BAL
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
B783
Sky
base 2,800 ft top 4,000 ft
SF50 at 3,000 ft, 37 nm northwest, 8:15 am EDT (12:15 UTC): a broken layer above 2,000 ft. At the departure end, 37 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
FDK UA /OV FDK/TM 1215/FL030/TP SF50/SK BKN020
```
Report
a routine report filed through FDK
Where
over FDK
Time
12:15 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
SF50
Sky
a broken layer from 2,000 ft
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
B39M descending, 15 nm northwest, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the departure end, 15 nm northwest 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
UAL1428 at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 7:36 am EDT (11:36 UTC): no turbulence, -39 °C, wind 360° at 59 knots. At the departure end, 46 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
E75L descending, 6 nm southeast, 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 169 nm along the route, 6 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
E145 at 4,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 8:06 am EDT (12:06 UTC): a broken layer above 4,000 ft, remarks: during the descent 20SW roa bases 4,000 ft. 179 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROA UA /OV ROA170020/TM 1206/FL040/TP E145/SK BKN040/RM DURD 20SW ROA BASES 040
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROA
Where
20 nm south (170°) of ROA
Time
12:06 UTC
Height
at 4,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Sky
a broken layer from 4,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent 20SW roa bases 4,000 ft
A321 at 30,000 ft, 43 nm southeast, 7:55 am EDT (11:55 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 43. 268 nm along the route, 43 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV BZM330010/TM 1155/FL300/TP A321/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 43
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
10 nm northwest (330°) of BZM
Time
11:55 UTC
Height
at 30,000 ft
Aircraft
A321
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 43
CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 6:10 am EDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 298 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest 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
A320 at 34,000 ft, 49 nm southeast, 7:17 am EDT (11:17 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 50. 318 nm along the route, 49 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV SUG/TM 1117/FL340/TP A320/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 50
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over SUG
Time
11:17 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 50
BE36 at 5,600 ft, 36 nm southeast, 8:58 am EDT (12:58 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 328 nm along the route, 36 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AVL UA /OV AVL347005/TM 1258/FL056/TP BE36/SK TOPS-056
```
Report
a routine report filed through AVL
Where
5 nm north (347°) of AVL
Time
12:58 UTC
Height
at 5,600 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Sky
TOPS-056

16 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 12 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, TYS, HSV, BHM, JAN, LCH, HOU, PSX, CRP, BRO). 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	290° at 6 kt	+4 kt	11 °C	116 kt	11 h 18 min	7:20 pm CDT (00:20 UTC)
6,500 ft	310° at 7 kt	+3 kt	15 °C	117 kt	11 h 12 min	7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC)
8,500 ft	330° at 10 kt	+1 kt	12 °C	119 kt	11 h 01 min	7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC)
10,500 ft	330° at 11 kt	0	9 °C	120 kt	10 h 55 min	6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC)
12,500 ft	330° at 12 kt	0	5 °C	120 kt	10 h 55 min	6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC)
14,500 ft	330° at 14 kt	+1 kt	1 °C	119 kt	11 h 01 min	7:03 pm CDT (00:03 UTC)
16,500 ft	320° at 17 kt	+2 kt	-3 °C	118 kt	11 h 06 min	7:08 pm CDT (00:08 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 19 kt	+2 kt	-6 °C	118 kt	11 h 06 min	7:08 pm CDT (00:08 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 20 kt	+3 kt	-17 °C	117 kt	11 h 12 min	7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	330° at 32 kt	−1 kt	-31 °C	121 kt	10 h 50 min	6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	330° at 35 kt	−3 kt	-40 °C	123 kt	10 h 39 min	6:41 pm CDT (23:41 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	330° at 34 kt	−4 kt	-50 °C	124 kt	10 h 34 min	6:36 pm CDT (23:36 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; 69 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 99 nm out; 43 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 248 nm out; 21 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 347 nm out; 18 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 447 nm out; 69 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 546 nm out; 19 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 645 nm out; 79 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 844 nm out; 87 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 1042 nm out; 59 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°
PSX	used from 1092 nm out; 50 nm from the line	160/24	190/17 17°	200/10 15°	L/V 8°	260/7 -5°	220/10 -12°	310/11 -30°	320/13 -40°	010/29 -51°
CRP	used from 1191 nm out; 47 nm from the line	140/21	160/22 17°	180/14 13°	210/6 9°	270/10 -5°	200/8 -13°	L/V -29°	L/V -40°	030/28 -51°
BRO	used from 1241 nm out; 46 nm from the line	160/15	160/15 18°	170/11 14°	150/7 9°	L/V -4°	170/6 -15°	100/15 -29°	100/14 -41°	040/26 -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: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet	from the north (350°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	3,200 ft	14 ft	8:52 am EDT (12:52 UTC)
CHO Charlottesville, VA	79 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,100 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet	calm	10+ mi	4,100 ft	640 ft	12:53 UTC
ROA Roanoke, VA	169 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,500 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 17 knots, gusting to 26	10+ mi	none	1,175 ft	12:54 UTC
TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN	288 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet	from the west (260°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	2,100 ft	1,518 ft	12:53 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	457 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	calm	0.13 mi	200 ft	682 ft	12:53 UTC
TCL Tuscaloosa, AL	615 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	9 mi	none	169 ft	12:53 UTC
JAN Jackson, MS	745 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	346 ft	12:54 UTC
LFT Lafayette, LA	903 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	9 mi	none	40 ft	12:53 UTC
LCH Lake Charles, LA	953 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the east-southeast (110°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	14 ft	12:53 UTC
HRL Harlingen, TX	1281 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the east (100°) at 3 knots	9 mi	none	36 ft	12:52 UTC
MFE Mc Allen, TX	destination	marginal VFR Weather: mist	from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots	4 mi	none	107 ft	7:53 am CDT (12:53 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 MFE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:36 pm CDT (23:36 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for MFE

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 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 MFE 7:07 pm CDT (00:07 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:30 pm CDT (00:30 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, MC Allen International.