Plan a flight · Mon 6:28 am CDT (11:28 UTC)

William P Hobby Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport HOU → DCA

1,058 nautical miles (1,217 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 054°, about 051° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 7-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:48 pm EDT (19:48 UTC). Right now HOU is VFR, wind from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots; DCA is VFR, wind from the north-northwest (340°) at 10 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: 2,063 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 last 469 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 619 to 928 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 788 to 1028 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 848 nm along 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). Near the route, at the destination end.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. 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

SF30 at 21,000 ft, 17 nm northwest, 4:35 am CDT (09:35 UTC): light rime icing, -10 °C, remarks: zhu. At the departure end, 17 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAH UA /OV DAS02002/TM 0935/FL210/TP SF30/TA M10/IC LGT RIME/RM ZHU
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAH
Where
DAS02002
Time
09:35 UTC
Height
at 21,000 ft
Aircraft
SF30
Temperature
−10 °C
Icing
light rime
Remarks
zhu
BE36 at 8,000 ft, 25 nm southeast, 6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZME65. 279 nm along the route, 25 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
JAN UA /OV MHZ225040/TM 1118/FL080/TP BE36/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZME65
```
Report
a routine report filed through JAN
Where
40 nm southwest (225°) of MHZ
Time
11:18 UTC
Height
at 8,000 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Turbulence
none
Icing
none
Remarks
ZME65
C56X at 1,000 ft, 15 nm south, 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 609 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1104/FL010/TP C56X/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
11:04 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
C56X
Sky
TOP010
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
CRJ9 at 1,000 ft, 15 nm south, 5:15 am CDT (10:15 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 609 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1015/FL010/TP CRJ9/SK TOP010/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
10:15 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
TOP010
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
B38M at 35,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 5:04 am CDT (10:04 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 39. 619 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV GQO110025/TM 1004/FL350/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 39
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm east (110°) of GQO
Time
10:04 UTC
Height
at 35,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 39
CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 10 nm southeast, 5:10 am CDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 758 nm along the route, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TRI UA /OV BOOIE/TM 1010/FL060/TP CRJ9/SK BKN046-TOP058
```
Report
a routine report filed through TRI
Where
booie
Time
10:10 UTC
Height
at 6,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
a broken layer from 4,600 ft, tops 5,800 ft
E75L descending, 16 nm southeast, 6:09 am CDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 888 nm along the route, 16 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 1109/FLDURD/TP E75L/SK BKN037 050
```
Report
a routine report filed through ROA
Where
over ROA
Time
11:09 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
BKN037 at 5,000 ft
B738 at 33,000 ft, 45 nm northwest, 3:44 am CDT (08:44 UTC): -39 °C, wind 350° at 65 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. 918 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
EKN UA /OV EKN188027 /TM 0844 /FL330 /TP B738 /TA M39 /WV 35065KT /TB MOD-CONS /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
```
Report
a routine report filed through EKN
Where
27 nm south (188°) of EKN
Time
08:44 UTC
Height
at 33,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Temperature
−39 °C
Wind
from 350° at 65 knots
Turbulence
mod-cons
Remarks
produced by skypath
B39M descending, 15 nm north, 5:42 am CDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 15 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 1042/FLDURD/TP B39M/SK OVC 040/WX 10 SM
```
Report
a routine report filed through IAD
Where
runway 1R
Time
10:42 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B39M
Sky
overcast from 4,000 ft
Weather
10, miles
B39M at 1,200 ft, 26 nm northeast, 6:10 am CDT (11:10 UTC): remarks: base 1200FT tops 2000FT. At the destination end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 1110/FL012/TP B39M/RM BASE 1200FT TOPS 2000FT
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
11:10 UTC
Height
at 1,200 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Remarks
base 1200FT tops 2000FT
B737 at 700 ft, 26 nm northeast, 4:33 am CDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the destination end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
```
Report
a routine report filed through BWI
Where
over BWI
Time
09:33 UTC
Height
at 700 ft
Aircraft
B737
Remarks
light rain

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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (HOU, LCH, JAN, BHM, HSV, TYS, TRI, ROA, EKN, RIC). 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	290° at 10 kt	−7 kt		127 kt	8 h 20 min	3:48 pm EDT (19:48 UTC)
5,500 ft	320° at 11 kt	−3 kt	11 °C	123 kt	8 h 36 min	4:04 pm EDT (20:04 UTC)
7,500 ft	330° at 14 kt	−1 kt	13 °C	121 kt	8 h 45 min	4:13 pm EDT (20:13 UTC)
9,500 ft	330° at 16 kt	+1 kt	9 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:21 pm EDT (20:21 UTC)
11,500 ft	330° at 16 kt	+1 kt	6 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:21 pm EDT (20:21 UTC)
13,500 ft	330° at 17 kt	0	2 °C	120 kt	8 h 49 min	4:17 pm EDT (20:17 UTC)
15,500 ft	330° at 20 kt	−1 kt	-1 °C	121 kt	8 h 45 min	4:13 pm EDT (20:13 UTC)
17,500 ft	320° at 22 kt	−2 kt	-5 °C	122 kt	8 h 40 min	4:08 pm EDT (20:08 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 23 kt	−2 kt	-6 °C	122 kt	8 h 40 min	4:08 pm EDT (20:08 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 25 kt	−2 kt	-18 °C	122 kt	8 h 40 min	4:08 pm EDT (20:08 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	330° at 39 kt	+1 kt	-32 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:21 pm EDT (20:21 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	330° at 43 kt	+1 kt	-41 °C	119 kt	8 h 53 min	4:21 pm EDT (20:21 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	330° at 38 kt	−1 kt	-50 °C	121 kt	8 h 45 min	4:13 pm EDT (20:13 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
HOU	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	180/22	180/20 16°	170/7 15°	L/V 8°	220/11 -6°	260/15 -13°	310/20 -30°	320/20 -40°	350/32 -51°
LCH	used from 50 nm out; 49 nm from the line	170/21	160/23 18°	170/13 13°	170/6 8°	300/12 -7°	280/16 -14°	320/27 -30°	330/23 -41°	340/38 -51°
JAN	used from 200 nm out; 89 nm from the line	240/10	260/15 18°	280/10 11°	290/6 6°	290/15 -5°	300/15 -17°	320/35 -30°	330/38 -40°	330/39 -51°
BHM	used from 399 nm out; 85 nm from the line	310/19	310/15 16°	320/19 11°	330/15 5°	330/23 -5°	320/14 -18°	320/36 -32°	330/44 -40°	340/36 -51°
HSV	used from 449 nm out; 52 nm from the line	300/20	310/14 16°	310/18 10°	310/15 4°	320/19 -5°	290/16 -18°	320/36 -32°	320/47 -41°	330/42 -50°
TYS	used from 599 nm out; 55 nm from the line	330/16	350/32 14°	350/37 9°	340/30 5°	330/28 -6°	340/36 -19°	330/40 -33°	330/51 -41°	330/36 -51°
TRI	used from 698 nm out; 43 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°
ROA	used from 848 nm out; 27 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°
EKN	used from 948 nm out; 69 nm from the line		330/20 10°	350/29 7°	340/32 2°	340/44 -8°	350/50 -21°	350/63 -35°	340/69 -40°	330/42 -50°
RIC	used from 998 nm out; 68 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°

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 3,300 feet, overcast at 23,000 feet	from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	23,000 ft	46 ft	5:53 am CDT (10:53 UTC)
BPT Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX	60 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	14 ft	10:53 UTC
AEX Alexandria, LA	170 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	IFR Weather: mist	calm	1.75 mi	none	88 ft	11:26 UTC
HKS Jackson, MS	309 nm out, 18 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	341 ft	10:53 UTC
GTR Columbus/W Point/Starkville, MS	409 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	264 ft	10:56 UTC
HAB Hamilton, AL	459 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line	no report just now				436 ft
HSV Huntsville, AL	529 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 15,000 feet	calm	10+ mi	none	628 ft	10:53 UTC
TYS Knoxville, TN	678 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,300 feet Weather: patches of fog	from the south-southwest (210°) at 5 knots	9 mi	none	986 ft	11:02 UTC
TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN	768 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	2,200 ft	1,518 ft	11:00 UTC
ROA Roanoke, VA	888 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,700 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18	10+ mi	3,700 ft	1,175 ft	10:54 UTC
HEF Washington, DC	1038 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,500 feet	from the northwest (320°) at 13 knots	10+ mi	4,400 ft	192 ft	10:56 UTC
DCA Washington, DC	destination	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,300 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet	from the north-northwest (340°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	6,500 ft	14 ft	7:21 am EDT (11:21 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,518 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:48 pm EDT (19:48 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 3,500 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DCA

From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet and more above
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 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 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, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 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 3,500 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 3,500 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet

The forecast for HOU, the departure

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
30% chance between Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC) and 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): light rain showers
From Mon 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 12 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at HOU 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 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 southern Plains · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · 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: William P Hobby Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.