William P Hobby Airport to Buffalo Niagara International HOU → BUF
1,127 nautical miles (1,296 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 040°, about 037° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 57 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 6-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:13 am EDT (14:13 UTC). Right now HOU is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots; BUF 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: 5 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 route from 588 to 987 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 HOU.
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 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 13 forecast points nearest it (HOU, LCH, SHV, JAN, LIT, MEM, BNA, EVV, LOU, CVG, CMH, CLE, BUF). 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 | 270° at 7 kt | −6 kt | 126 kt | 8 h 57 min | 10:13 am EDT (14:13 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 310° at 8 kt | −1 kt | 121 kt | 9 h 19 min | 10:35 am EDT (14:35 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 310° at 10 kt | −1 kt | 13 °C | 121 kt | 9 h 19 min | 10:35 am EDT (14:35 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 310° at 12 kt | −1 kt | 9 °C | 121 kt | 9 h 19 min | 10:35 am EDT (14:35 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 13 kt | +2 kt | 6 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 33 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 15 kt | +2 kt | 2 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 33 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | +2 kt | -2 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 33 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | +2 kt | -6 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 33 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 19 kt | +2 kt | -7 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 33 min | 10:49 am EDT (14:49 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 26 kt | +3 kt | -18 °C | 117 kt | 9 h 38 min | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 41 kt | +6 kt | -33 °C | 114 kt | 9 h 53 min | 11:09 am EDT (15:09 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 48 kt | +3 kt | -41 °C | 117 kt | 9 h 38 min | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 42 kt | +7 kt | -50 °C | 113 kt | 9 h 58 min | 11:14 am EDT (15:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 160/22 | 150/27 19° | 180/16 14° | 250/7 9° | 270/10 -5° | 270/16 -13° | 310/23 -29° | 310/26 -40° | 330/20 -52° |
| LCH | used from 50 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 160/21 | 160/18 18° | 180/13 12° | 230/6 8° | 280/10 -4° | 260/13 -14° | 310/29 -30° | 320/32 -40° | 330/33 -53° |
| SHV | used from 150 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 200/18 | 230/24 18° | 230/24 12° | 240/14 8° | 260/12 -4° | 240/11 -15° | 300/31 -29° | 300/32 -40° | 300/36 -52° |
| JAN | used from 249 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 230/10 | 270/13 18° | 270/11 12° | 310/11 6° | 300/15 -4° | 300/22 -16° | 310/33 -31° | 320/37 -41° | 330/41 -52° |
| LIT | used from 299 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 220/21 | 230/17 16° | 250/24 12° | 260/15 7° | 260/13 -5° | 280/25 -16° | 290/35 -30° | 300/42 -40° | 300/40 -52° |
| MEM | used from 349 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 230/19 | 260/16 15° | 270/17 12° | 300/13 6° | 300/15 -5° | 300/26 -18° | 300/34 -32° | 300/41 -40° | 310/46 -52° |
| BNA | used from 498 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 310/20 | 340/20 17° | 330/24 10° | 340/22 5° | 330/26 -6° | 340/29 -18° | 330/52 -33° | 320/62 -41° | 340/45 -50° |
| EVV | used from 598 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 280/15 | 290/12 17° | 310/16 10° | 320/13 5° | 310/22 -6° | 320/26 -18° | 320/38 -33° | 310/56 -41° | 320/55 -51° |
| LOU | used from 648 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -49° |
| CVG | used from 748 nm out; 5 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| CMH | used from 798 nm out; 48 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° |
| CLE | used from 897 nm out; 44 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° |
| BUF | used from 1047 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 320/10 | 010/16 10° | 360/10 6° | 340/13 2° | 330/22 -11° | 300/25 -23° | 320/31 -38° | 300/29 -44° | 280/36 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU Houston, TX | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 46 ft | 11:53 pm CDT (04:53 UTC) |
| JAS Jasper, TX | 100 nm out, 1 nm southwest of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 212 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| IER Natchitoches, LA | 169 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 121 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| MLU Monroe, LA | 239 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 78 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| OLV Olive Branch, MS | 429 nm out, 7 nm west of the line, tower | reported, no category | from the south (170°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 401 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| MKL Jackson, TN | 479 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 434 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| HVC Hopkinsville, KY | 588 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | IFR Weather: mist | calm | 2.5 mi | none | 563 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| SDF Louisville, KY | 698 nm out, 1 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 500 ft | 04:56 UTC |
| OSU Columbus, OH | 867 nm out, 1 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 905 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 957 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 600 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 4 knots | 8 mi | 1,700 ft | 1,225 ft | 04:51 UTC |
| ERI Erie, PA | 1047 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 3,000 feet | variable at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 732 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 11,000 feet, a broken layer at 13,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 11,000 ft | 726 ft | 12:54 am EDT (04:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,225 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:13 am EDT (14:13 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for BUF
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 300 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
The forecast for HOU, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 0 nm from the route, 768 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 977 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 14 nm from the route, 987 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 18 nm from the route, 997 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at HOU 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 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: William P Hobby Airport, Buffalo Niagara International.