Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Mobile Regional DCA → MOB
737 nautical miles (849 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 232°, about 243° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 23 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 17-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:34 pm CDT (17:34 UTC). Right now DCA is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 10 knots; MOB 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: 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 30 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 140 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). Over the route from 20 to 319 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 448 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 209 to 438 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 219 to 269 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 last 159 nm of the route.
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
Not fetched just now.
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 8 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ROA, TRI, GSP, ATL, CSG, MGM, MOB). 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 | 340° at 24 kt | −7 kt | 11 °C | 127 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:59 pm CDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 340° at 24 kt | −10 kt | 14 °C | 130 kt | 5 h 40 min | 12:51 pm CDT (17:51 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 350° at 26 kt | −12 kt | 11 °C | 132 kt | 5 h 35 min | 12:46 pm CDT (17:46 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 340° at 24 kt | −10 kt | 7 °C | 130 kt | 5 h 40 min | 12:51 pm CDT (17:51 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 340° at 22 kt | −7 kt | 4 °C | 127 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:59 pm CDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 340° at 25 kt | −7 kt | 0 °C | 127 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:59 pm CDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 330° at 29 kt | −7 kt | -4 °C | 127 kt | 5 h 48 min | 12:59 pm CDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 31 kt | −8 kt | -7 °C | 128 kt | 5 h 45 min | 12:56 pm CDT (17:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 36 kt | −13 kt | -19 °C | 133 kt | 5 h 32 min | 12:43 pm CDT (17:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 330° at 46 kt | −13 kt | -33 °C | 133 kt | 5 h 32 min | 12:43 pm CDT (17:43 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 340° at 47 kt | −17 kt | -40 °C | 137 kt | 5 h 23 min | 12:34 pm CDT (17:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 33 kt | −2 kt | -50 °C | 122 kt | 6 h 02 min | 1:13 pm CDT (18:13 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; 66 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; 44 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; 56 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° | |
| GSP | used from 299 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 340/30 | 360/24 13° | 350/29 10° | 340/33 6° | 340/40 -7° | 350/44 -19° | 340/59 -31° | 350/55 -41° | 300/29 -50° |
| ATL | used from 399 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 330/32 | 340/36 17° | 350/34 10° | 340/25 6° | 330/27 -6° | 350/35 -18° | 330/49 -32° | 340/47 -41° | 340/27 -51° |
| CSG | used from 498 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 330/27 | 340/28 16° | 350/28 11° | 330/17 6° | 340/25 -6° | 350/33 -18° | 330/46 -32° | 340/45 -41° | 350/31 -52° |
| MGM | used from 548 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 320/19 | 330/16 17° | 340/21 11° | 330/11 5° | 330/27 -6° | 330/21 -17° | 330/37 -32° | 340/44 -40° | 360/30 -52° |
| MOB | used from 648 nm out; 65 nm from the line | L/V | L/V 18° | 020/8 11° | L/V 6° | 330/12 -5° | 330/23 -17° | 330/30 -32° | 350/39 -41° | 340/40 -53° |
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, 8 nm northwest 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 |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 140 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,100 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 938 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 169 nm out, 17 nm northwest 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 |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 279 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| AVL Asheville, NC | 329 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | variable at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 2,163 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| GVL Gainesville, GA | 429 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 10 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | none | 1,276 ft | 11:55 UTC |
| PDK Atlanta, GA | 458 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the northwest (310°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 998 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| AUO Auburn, AL | 558 nm out, 17 nm southeast of the line, tower | reported, no category | calm | none | 776 ft | 05:21 UTC | |
| MGM Montgomery, AL | 598 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the southwest (230°) at 3 knots | 4 mi | 200 ft | 221 ft | 12:04 UTC |
| MVC Monroeville, AL | 668 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 419 ft | ||||
| MOB Mobile, AL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet | calm | 7 mi | none | 218 ft | 6:56 am CDT (11:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MOB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:34 pm CDT (17:34 UTC)
Wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for MOB
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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
- 6/8928 Atlanta, GA, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 478 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZTL
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at MOB 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 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, Mobile Regional.