Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to General Mitchell International DCA → MKE
550 nautical miles (633 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 300°, about 311° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 47 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot headwind), arriving about 12:15 am CDT (05:15 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots; MKE is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 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: 2,585 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 39 to 69 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.
- SIGMET E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 177 to 206 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E VALID UNTIL 0155Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 138 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 10 to 177 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 49 to 187 nm out.
- 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 route from 236 to 354 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, 17 nm southwest, 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. 69 nm along the route, 17 nm southwest 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
- UAL2761 at 31,000 ft, 40 nm southwest, 7:57 pm EDT (23:57 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 218° at 58 knots. 128 nm along the route, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2761 3917N 07949W 2357 F310 218/058KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 6 nm northeast, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 128 nm along the route, 6 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- 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
- 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
- B738 at 300 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a broken layer above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 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
- 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
- B38M at 3,000 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:07 pm EDT (22:07 UTC): overcast above 30,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL150003/TM 2207/FL30/TP B38M/SK OVC003
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 3 nm southeast (150°) of BAL
- Time
- 22:07 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- overcast from 300 ft
- B737 at 400 ft, 26 nm northeast, 5:40 pm EDT (21:40 UTC): a broken layer above 40,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2140/FL004/TP B737/SK BKN004
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 21:40 UTC
- Height
- at 400 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 400 ft
- CL60 descending, 19 nm southwest, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 19 nm southwest 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
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 6 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, AGC, CLE, FWA, MKG). 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 6 kt | +5 kt | 13 °C | 115 kt | 4 h 47 min | 12:15 am CDT (05:15 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 320° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 13 °C | 111 kt | 4 h 57 min | 12:25 am CDT (05:25 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 10 kt | +9 kt | 10 °C | 111 kt | 4 h 57 min | 12:25 am CDT (05:25 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 9 kt | +9 kt | 6 °C | 111 kt | 4 h 57 min | 12:25 am CDT (05:25 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 9 kt | +8 kt | 2 °C | 112 kt | 4 h 55 min | 12:23 am CDT (05:23 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 310° at 10 kt | +10 kt | -2 °C | 110 kt | 5 h | 12:28 am CDT (05:28 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 300° at 12 kt | +11 kt | -7 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 03 min | 12:31 am CDT (05:31 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 13 kt | +12 kt | -10 °C | 108 kt | 5 h 06 min | 12:34 am CDT (05:34 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 18 kt | +17 kt | -22 °C | 103 kt | 5 h 20 min | 12:48 am CDT (05:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 26 kt | +24 kt | -35 °C | 96 kt | 5 h 44 min | 1:12 am CDT (06:12 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 33 kt | +26 kt | -42 °C | 94 kt | 5 h 51 min | 1:19 am CDT (06:19 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 39 kt | +32 kt | -48 °C | 88 kt | 6 h 15 min | 1:43 am CDT (06:43 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; 93 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° |
| EKN | used from 49 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 270/18 13° | 310/5 7° | 140/7 3° | 210/16 -9° | 220/41 -20° | 210/57 -32° | 220/57 -38° | 230/49 -47° | |
| AGC | used from 98 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 140/12 | 350/10 12° | L/V 9° | L/V 3° | 200/11 -11° | 220/21 -22° | 220/47 -33° | 230/51 -39° | 230/45 -48° |
| CLE | used from 196 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 340/5 | 320/13 14° | 300/12 8° | 310/10 2° | 310/14 -10° | 340/14 -23° | 320/27 -35° | 260/28 -40° | 250/36 -48° |
| FWA | used from 344 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 350/9 | 350/24 15° | 360/25 9° | 360/29 4° | 350/31 -10° | 340/39 -22° | 330/40 -37° | 320/38 -43° | 320/48 -48° |
| MKG | used from 442 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 250/5 | 320/10 15° | 310/19 9° | 320/21 3° | 310/23 -10° | 330/37 -22° | 330/51 -38° | 320/44 -47° | 300/60 -49° |
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) |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 29 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 500 ft | 389 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 59 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the north (010°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 564 ft | 00:23 UTC |
| AGC Pittsburgh, PA | 157 nm out, 14 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 4,100 ft | 1,251 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| HLG Wheeling, WV | 187 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,800 feet | from the north (010°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,800 ft | 1,194 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 236 nm out, 12 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,225 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| FZI Fostoria, OH | 324 nm out, 13 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 751 ft | ||||
| TOL Toledo, OH | 354 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,200 ft | 683 ft | 00:21 UTC |
| BTL Battle Creek, MI | 432 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,300 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 951 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| AZO Kalamazoo, MI | 442 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 873 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| MKE Milwaukee, WI | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 728 ft | 6:52 pm CDT (23:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,251 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MKE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:15 am CDT (05:15 UTC)
Wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MKE
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 10,000 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
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 216 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 9 nm from the route, 216 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at MKE 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MKE is before sunrise there (7:01 am CDT (12:01 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, General Mitchell International.