Detroit Metro Wayne County to Norfolk International DTW → ORF
460 nautical miles (529 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 132°, about 139° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (24,000 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:33 am EDT (05:33 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots; ORF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 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: 1,959 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 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 180 to 420 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E VALID UNTIL 0255Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE 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 380 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 170 to 310 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 210 to 340 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 DTW.
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 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 5 forecast points nearest it (CLE, AGC, EKN, RIC, ORF). 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 | 190° at 12 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 4 h 04 min | 1:56 am EDT (05:56 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 230° at 10 kt | −2 kt | 13 °C | 122 kt | 3 h 46 min | 1:38 am EDT (05:38 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 11 kt | −2 kt | 11 °C | 122 kt | 3 h 46 min | 1:38 am EDT (05:38 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 12 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 3 h 48 min | 1:40 am EDT (05:40 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 13 kt | 0 | 5 °C | 120 kt | 3 h 50 min | 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 15 kt | 0 | 1 °C | 120 kt | 3 h 50 min | 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 17 kt | −2 kt | -4 °C | 122 kt | 3 h 46 min | 1:38 am EDT (05:38 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 19 kt | −4 kt | -8 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:35 am EDT (05:35 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 20 kt | −4 kt | -9 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:35 am EDT (05:35 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 31 kt | −5 kt | -20 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 41 min | 1:33 am EDT (05:33 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 44 kt | −4 kt | -32 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:35 am EDT (05:35 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 54 kt | −4 kt | -40 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 43 min | 1:35 am EDT (05:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 54 kt | −5 kt | -49 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 41 min | 1:33 am EDT (05:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | used from 0 nm out; 58 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° |
| AGC | used from 150 nm out; 27 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° |
| EKN | used from 250 nm out; 44 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° | |
| RIC | used from 300 nm out; 72 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° |
| ORF | used from 450 nm out; 5 nm from the line | 210/45 | 210/41 15° | 210/39 13° | 220/37 7° | 230/55 -5° | 230/65 -16° | 220/71 -30° | 220/75 -40° | 220/72 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTW Detroit, MI | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 500 feet, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | 2,000 ft | 645 ft | 9:18 pm EDT (01:18 UTC) |
| CYPT Pelee Island, | 40 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line | no report just now | 571 ft | ||||
| CLE Cleveland, OH | 80 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 2,100 ft | 799 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 120 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north (010°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 1,225 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| HLG Wheeling, WV | 170 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 1,194 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| MGW Morgantown, WV | 220 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,900 feet, overcast at 4,900 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 1,243 ft | 01:26 UTC |
| LUA Luray, VA | 310 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 400 ft | 902 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 330 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet | from the south (190°) at 3 knots | 7 mi | 500 ft | 640 ft | 01:28 UTC |
| RIC Richmond, VA | 400 nm out, 13 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 167 ft | 00:59 UTC |
| PHF Newport News, VA | 440 nm out, 0 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 42 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| ORF Norfolk, VA | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,243 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ORF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:33 am EDT (05:33 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ORF
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the north at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
The forecast for DTW, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,400 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 23 nm from the route, 130 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 3 nm from the route, 130 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 24 nm from the route, 350 nm along the route · security · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at ORF 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm EDT (22:58 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ORF is before sunrise there (7:09 am EDT (11:09 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: Detroit Metro Wayne County, Norfolk International.