Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Syracuse Hancock International DCA → SYR
259 nautical miles (298 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 009°, about 020° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 71-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:12 pm EDT (03:12 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots; SYR is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) 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: 1,965 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 2E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 40 to 90 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2E VALID UNTIL 0255Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD AND NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30NE SAX-30SSW HTO-30ESE EMI-50WSW HAR-30NE SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. 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 whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 160 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 13,000 ft. Near the route, 209 nm along the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the last 40 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
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 22 nm east, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. 80 nm along the route, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LRP/TM 0043/FL120/TP E145/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 00:43 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- E75 at 34,000 ft, 42 nm east, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RME UA /OV UCA/TM 2315/FL340/TP E75/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RME
- Where
- over UCA
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- A21N at 35,000 ft, 42 nm east, 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RME UA /OV UCA/TM 2257/FL350/TP A21N/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RME
- Where
- over UCA
- Time
- 22:57 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- 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
- FA8X climbing, 26 nm west, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- FA8X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 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
- 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
- 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
- CL60 descending, 24 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm west 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
- CL60 at 500 ft, 23 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 23 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through HEF
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B39M at 2,000 ft, 25 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 25 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML320005/TM 2303/FL020/TP B39M/SK BASES OVC 007
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (320°) of AML
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- bases overcast at 700 ft
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 11 nm west, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 11 nm west 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
- B738 at 2,000 ft, 12 nm east, 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. 20 nm along the route, 12 nm east 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
- A21N at 600 ft, 14 nm east, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. 20 nm along the route, 14 nm east 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
13 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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 4 forecast points nearest it (RIC, PSB, AVP, SYR). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 150° at 23 kt | −18 kt | 138 kt | 1 h 53 min | 11:44 pm EDT (03:44 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 190° at 23 kt | −22 kt | 13 °C | 142 kt | 1 h 49 min | 11:40 pm EDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 210° at 19 kt | −18 kt | 10 °C | 138 kt | 1 h 53 min | 11:44 pm EDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −12 kt | 7 °C | 132 kt | 1 h 58 min | 11:49 pm EDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −13 kt | 5 °C | 133 kt | 1 h 57 min | 11:48 pm EDT (03:48 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 18 kt | −14 kt | 1 °C | 134 kt | 1 h 56 min | 11:47 pm EDT (03:47 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | −16 kt | -4 °C | 136 kt | 1 h 54 min | 11:45 pm EDT (03:45 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −18 kt | -8 °C | 138 kt | 1 h 53 min | 11:44 pm EDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 25 kt | −18 kt | -9 °C | 138 kt | 1 h 53 min | 11:44 pm EDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 40 kt | −34 kt | -19 °C | 154 kt | 1 h 41 min | 11:32 pm EDT (03:32 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 73 kt | −60 kt | -33 °C | 180 kt | 1 h 26 min | 11:17 pm EDT (03:17 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 89 kt | −71 kt | -41 °C | 191 kt | 1 h 21 min | 11:12 pm EDT (03:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 78 kt | −59 kt | -51 °C | 179 kt | 1 h 27 min | 11:18 pm EDT (03:18 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; 107 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° |
| PSB | used from 50 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° | |
| AVP | used from 100 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 110/36 | 190/34 13° | 230/11 8° | 230/16 4° | 230/26 -8° | 220/40 -19° | 230/73 -33° | 230/98 -41° | 230/87 -51° |
| SYR | used from 199 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 160/17 | 200/22 10° | 250/10 6° | L/V 1° | 270/11 -11° | 220/25 -20° | 220/66 -36° | 230/89 -42° | 240/74 -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 | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 14 ft | 8:52 pm EDT (00:52 UTC) |
| BWI Baltimore, MD | 20 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the northeast (050°) at 7 knots | 3 mi | 400 ft | 143 ft | 01:20 UTC |
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | 80 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 310 ft | 01:28 UTC |
| SEG Selinsgrove, PA | 120 nm out, 11 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 463 ft | 01:39 UTC |
| IPT Williamsport, PA | 140 nm out, 18 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,400 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,400 ft | 528 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| BGM Binghamton, NY | 209 nm out, 15 nm east of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots | 3 mi | 300 ft | 1,635 ft | 01:36 UTC |
| ITH Ithaca, NY | 219 nm out, 9 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 300 feet, scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 3,100 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 7 mi | 3,100 ft | 1,099 ft | 01:18 UTC |
| SYR Syracuse, NY | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 5,500 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 5,500 ft | 421 ft | 8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,635 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SYR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:12 pm EDT (03:12 UTC)
Wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 2,500 feet marginal VFR
At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet IFR
The whole forecast for SYR
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 6 knots, visibility 5 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 2,500 feet
- At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 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 10 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 14 nm from the route, 30 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at SYR 6:27 pm EDT (22:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:55 pm EDT (22:55 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SYR is after sunset there (6:28 pm EDT (22:28 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, Syracuse Hancock International.