John F Kennedy International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport JFK → DCA
185 nautical miles (213 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 236°, about 249° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 49 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 18-knot headwind), arriving about 12:25 am EDT (04:25 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now JFK is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 10 knots, gusting to 16; DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 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: 5,223 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 6E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 10 to 146 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6E VALID UNTIL 0355Z NY NJ PA DE MD AND DE NJ NY MD CSTL WTRS FROM 20WNW SAX-70S HTO-50ESE SBY-30WSW HAR-20WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- SIGMET 7E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the last 10 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7E VALID UNTIL 0355Z PA MD VA DC WV OH FROM 10NNE JST-30WNW SBY-40ENE RIC-50SW BKW-20SE APE-10NNE JST AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- 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 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 13,000 ft. Over the first 49 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 58 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 JFK.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 4,000 ft, 38 nm northeast, 8:42 pm EDT (00:42 UTC): moderate turbulence, imc. At the departure end, 38 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BDR UA /OV BDR180010/TM 0042/FL040/TP BCS3/WX IMC/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BDR
- Where
- 10 nm south (180°) of BDR
- Time
- 00:42 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Weather
- instrument conditions
- Turbulence
- moderate
- TBM9 descending, 32 nm east, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence, a broken layer above 700 ft. At the departure end, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 2345/FLDURD/TP TBM9/SK BKN007/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- TBM9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 700 ft
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B38M at 6,000 ft, 13 nm northwest, 8:47 pm EDT (00:47 UTC): moderate turbulence. 10 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
EWR UA /OV 2 NW OF EWR/TM 0047/FL60/TP B38M/TB MODERATE
- Report
- a routine report filed through EWR
- Where
- 2 northwest of ewr
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- CRJ7 at 15,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 8:07 pm EDT (00:07 UTC): moderate chop turbulence. 29 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BLM UA /OV COL/TM 0007/FL150/TP CRJ7/TB MOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through BLM
- Where
- over COL
- Time
- 00:07 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- A21N at 18,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 8:38 pm EDT (00:38 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence. 78 nm along the route, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTW UA /OV PTW/TM 0038/FL180/TP A21N/TB MOD CAT
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTW
- Where
- over PTW
- Time
- 00:38 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence
- E75L at 20,000 ft, 5 nm southwest, 8:41 pm EDT (00:41 UTC): moderate turbulence above 20,000 ft. 97 nm along the route, 5 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV DQO/TM 0041/FL200/TP E75L/TB MOD 200
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over DQO
- Time
- 00:41 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 20,000 ft
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 41 nm northwest, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. 107 nm along the route, 41 nm northwest 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
- BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 23 nm southeast, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): moderate turbulence above 17,000 ft, -9 °C. 117 nm along the route, 23 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DOV UA /OV ENO/TM 0018/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M09/TB MOD 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through DOV
- Where
- over ENO
- Time
- 00:18 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate at 17,000 ft
- GA6C at 1,100 ft, 26 nm north, 10:31 pm EDT (02:31 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34. At the departure end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UA /OV HPN/TM 0231/FL011/TP GA6C/SK OVC011/RM LLWS +/- 5 KNOTS RWY34
- Report
- a routine report filed through HPN
- Where
- over HPN
- Time
- 02:31 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34
- E175 descending, 10 nm northwest, 10:19 pm EDT (02:19 UTC): remarks: cloud bases 70,000 ft ils runway 4. At the departure end, 10 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGA UA /OV LGA/TM 0219/FLDURD/TP E175/RM CLOUD BASES 700 ILS RWY 4
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGA
- Where
- over LGA
- Time
- 02:19 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E175
- Remarks
- cloud bases 70,000 ft ils runway 4
- A320 at 800 ft, 1 nm southeast, 10:01 pm EDT (02:01 UTC): a broken layer above 800 ft. At the departure end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV JFK/TM 0201/FL008/TP A320/SK BKN008
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- over JFK
- Time
- 02:01 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 800 ft
- B739 at 700 ft, 2 nm southwest, 9:22 pm EDT (01:22 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 2 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV KJFK225002/TM 0122/FL007/TP B739/SK OVC007
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (225°) of KJFK
- Time
- 01:22 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- CL60 descending, 26 nm north, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): remarks: bases 900 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UA /OV KHPN/TM 0115/FLDURD/TP CL60/RM BASES 009
- Report
- a routine report filed through HPN
- Where
- over KHPN
- Time
- 01:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- bases 900 ft
- A320 at 1,000 ft, 32 nm east, 9:14 pm EDT (01:14 UTC): remarks: smooth ride heavy rain. At the departure end, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 0114/FL010/TP A320/RM SMOOTH RIDE - HEAVY RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 01:14 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Remarks
- smooth ride heavy rain
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 3 forecast points nearest it (JFK, ACY, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 102 kt | 1 h 49 min | 12:25 am EDT (04:25 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 20 kt | +20 kt | 12 °C | 100 kt | 1 h 51 min | 12:27 am EDT (04:27 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 10 °C | 93 kt | 1 h 59 min | 12:35 am EDT (04:35 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | +29 kt | 7 °C | 91 kt | 2 h 02 min | 12:38 am EDT (04:38 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | +31 kt | 4 °C | 89 kt | 2 h 05 min | 12:41 am EDT (04:41 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | +33 kt | -1 °C | 87 kt | 2 h 08 min | 12:44 am EDT (04:44 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 35 kt | +35 kt | -5 °C | 85 kt | 2 h 11 min | 12:47 am EDT (04:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 37 kt | +36 kt | -8 °C | 84 kt | 2 h 12 min | 12:48 am EDT (04:48 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 49 kt | +49 kt | -20 °C | 71 kt | 2 h 36 min | 1:12 am EDT (05:12 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 86 kt | +84 kt | -31 °C | 36 kt | 5 h 08 min | 3:44 am EDT (07:44 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 99 kt | +98 kt | -40 °C | 22 kt | 8 h 25 min | 7:01 am EDT (11:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 78 kt | +78 kt | -50 °C | 42 kt | 4 h 24 min | 3:00 am EDT (07:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 250/18 | 250/23 14° | 240/33 9° | 240/33 4° | 240/38 -10° | 240/45 -21° | 230/86 -32° | 230/102 -40° | 230/84 -51° |
| ACY | used from 49 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 220/19 | 220/18 14° | 210/36 9° | 210/35 5° | 220/36 -8° | 240/49 -21° | 220/90 -31° | 230/103 -40° | 230/81 -50° |
| RIC | used from 146 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK New York, NY | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 10 knots, gusting to 16 | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 13 ft | 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC) |
| MMU Morristown, NJ | 19 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the north (010°) at 5 knots, gusting to 12 | 4 mi | 600 ft | 186 ft | 01:45 UTC |
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | 78 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 5 mi | 600 ft | 35 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 97 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 01:51 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 146 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: heavy rain | from the east (080°) at 4 knots | 7 mi | 500 ft | 22 ft | 02:15 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots | 8 mi | 500 ft | 14 ft | 10:22 pm EDT (02:22 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 186 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, 12:25 am EDT (04:25 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for DCA
- 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
The forecast for JFK, the departure
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 900 feet
- From Sun 11:30 pm EDT (03:30 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 800 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 12:30 am EDT (04:30 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, 156 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, 175 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at JFK 6:19 pm EDT (22:19 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DCA is before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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: John F Kennedy International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.