Plan a flight · Mon 1:20 am EDT (05:20 UTC)

Detroit Metro Wayne County to Raleigh-Durham International DTW → RDU

436 nautical miles (501 statute miles) southeast on a straight line, true course 149°, about 156° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 40-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:04 am EDT (08:04 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DTW is marginal VFR, wind from the west (280°) at 3 knots; RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots, gusting to 20. 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: 2,990 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 E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Near the route, 337 nm along the route.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 120455
MKCE WST 120455
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E
VALID UNTIL 0655Z
CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS
FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.

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 347 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 188 to 347 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 277 to 416 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

B739 descending, 0 nm south, 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0454/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BASES 011
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
04:54 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B739
Sky
bases 1,100 ft
A320 descending, 0 nm south, 11:27 pm EDT (03:27 UTC): overcast above 1,400 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0327/FLDURD/TP A320/SK 014 OVC
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
03:27 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A320
Sky
at 1,400 ft overcast
C560 at 3,000 ft, 27 nm north, 10:28 pm EDT (02:28 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 27 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
PTK UA /OV 6 W/TM 0228/FL030/TP C560/SK BASES 019 TOPS 030 OVC
```
Report
a routine report filed through PTK
Where
6 west
Time
02:28 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
C560
Sky
bases 1,900 ft tops 3,000 ft overcast
B738 at 1,300 ft, 37 nm southwest, 12:45 am EDT (04:45 UTC): overcast from 1,300 ft to 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. 20 nm along the route, 37 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV KTOL/TM 0445/FL013/TP B738/SK OVC013-TOP030/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over KTOL
Time
04:45 UTC
Height
at 1,300 ft
Aircraft
B738
Sky
overcast from 1,300 ft, tops 3,000 ft
Remarks
during the descent
PA44 descending, 36 nm southwest, 10:27 pm EDT (02:27 UTC): a broken layer from 900 ft to 1,500 ft; a broken layer from 2,600 ft to 3,500 ft, fog. 20 nm along the route, 36 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0227/FLDURD/TP PA44/SK BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035/WX FG
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over TOL
Time
02:27 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
PA44
Sky
BKN009 TOPS015 BKN026 TOPS035
Weather
fog
BCS3 climbing, 50 nm southwest, 10:27 pm EDT (02:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 129 nm along the route, 50 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 0227/FLDURC/TP BCS3/SK B010
```
Report
a routine report filed through CMH
Where
over CMH
Time
02:27 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
BCS3
Sky
B010

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (CLE, CMH, CRW, EKN, ROA, RDU). 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	320° at 18 kt	−18 kt		138 kt	3 h 10 min	4:30 am EDT (08:30 UTC)
5,500 ft	330° at 21 kt	−21 kt	12 °C	141 kt	3 h 06 min	4:26 am EDT (08:26 UTC)
7,500 ft	340° at 23 kt	−22 kt	10 °C	142 kt	3 h 04 min	4:24 am EDT (08:24 UTC)
9,500 ft	340° at 23 kt	−23 kt	7 °C	143 kt	3 h 03 min	4:23 am EDT (08:23 UTC)
11,500 ft	340° at 22 kt	−22 kt	4 °C	142 kt	3 h 04 min	4:24 am EDT (08:24 UTC)
13,500 ft	330° at 24 kt	−24 kt	0 °C	144 kt	3 h 02 min	4:22 am EDT (08:22 UTC)
15,500 ft	330° at 26 kt	−26 kt	-4 °C	146 kt	2 h 59 min	4:19 am EDT (08:19 UTC)
17,500 ft	330° at 29 kt	−28 kt	-8 °C	148 kt	2 h 57 min	4:17 am EDT (08:17 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 29 kt	−29 kt	-9 °C	149 kt	2 h 56 min	4:16 am EDT (08:16 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 35 kt	−35 kt	-21 °C	155 kt	2 h 49 min	4:09 am EDT (08:09 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 39 kt	−38 kt	-35 °C	158 kt	2 h 46 min	4:06 am EDT (08:06 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	310° at 44 kt	−40 kt	-41 °C	160 kt	2 h 44 min	4:04 am EDT (08:04 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	320° at 39 kt	−38 kt	-48 °C	158 kt	2 h 46 min	4:06 am EDT (08:06 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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; 61 nm from the line	340/7	010/16 13°	350/18 8°	350/20 3°	340/31 -10°	340/46 -21°	340/54 -37°	330/62 -44°	340/65 -49°
CMH	used from 99 nm out; 50 nm from the line	330/15	340/22 14°	340/24 9°	340/23 4°	340/35 -9°	340/49 -20°	340/58 -37°	330/70 -42°	340/55 -47°
CRW	used from 198 nm out; 49 nm from the line	330/20	330/23 11°	340/25 8°	340/21 2°	340/33 -9°	340/41 -20°	330/42 -35°	320/44 -39°	320/43 -47°
EKN	used from 248 nm out; 45 nm from the line		330/21 12°	330/25 7°	350/22 2°	330/24 -10°	310/27 -21°	320/33 -35°	290/31 -39°	290/34 -47°
ROA	used from 297 nm out; 14 nm from the line	310/29	330/31 13°	340/28 7°	330/25 3°	310/32 -8°	300/32 -22°	290/32 -31°	270/35 -38°	270/32 -47°
RDU	used from 396 nm out; 20 nm from the line	280/33	300/23 11°	300/28 8°	290/28 4°	260/41 -6°	240/52 -18°	230/66 -31°	230/76 -39°	240/52 -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
DTW Detroit, MI	departure	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet	from the west (280°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	1,200 ft	645 ft	12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC)
CYPT Pelee Island,	40 nm out, 13 nm northeast of the line	no report just now				571 ft
PCW Port Clinton, OH	50 nm out, 4 nm west of the line	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 400 feet, scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: mist	from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots	6 mi	1,500 ft	590 ft	04:55 UTC
MFD Mansfield, OH	89 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist	from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots	5 mi	300 ft	1,297 ft	04:52 UTC
CDI Cambridge, OH	158 nm out, 3 nm north of the line	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	1,000 ft	798 ft	04:55 UTC
PKB Parkersburg, WV	188 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 5 knots	9 mi	900 ft	858 ft	04:53 UTC
USW Spencer, WV	218 nm out, 23 nm southwest of the line	no report just now				928 ft
LWB Lewisburg, WV	297 nm out, 12 nm west of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist	from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots	4 mi	2,100 ft	2,301 ft	02:15 UTC
ROA Roanoke, VA	337 nm out, 11 nm west of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,800 feet	from the west (270°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	2,800 ft	1,175 ft	04:54 UTC
DAN Danville, VA	386 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	4,000 ft	571 ft	04:53 UTC
TDF Roxboro, NC	406 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,900 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet	from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	6,000 ft	608 ft	04:55 UTC
RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,300 feet	from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots, gusting to 20	10+ mi	4,300 ft	435 ft	12:51 am EDT (04:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,301 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At RDU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:04 am EDT (08:04 UTC)

Wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for RDU

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet

The forecast for DTW, the departure

From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,600 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

No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.

Daylight

Sunset at DTW 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC), at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RDU is before sunrise there (7:19 am EDT (11:19 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 central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Southeast · 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: Detroit Metro Wayne County, Raleigh-Durham International.