Blue Grass Airport to Buffalo Niagara International LEX → BUF
398 nautical miles (458 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 040°, about 044° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 41 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 28-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:05 am EDT (04:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LEX is IFR, wind from the west (270°) at 6 knots; BUF is VFR, wind from the east (090°) at 7 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 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 169 to 179 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 route from 30 to 239 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 289 to 368 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 358 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 10 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 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 LEX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- DH8D at 19,000 ft, 48 nm east, 7:35 pm EDT (23:35 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROC UA /OV ROC/TM 2335/FL190/TP DH8D/TB CONS MOD CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROC
- Where
- over ROC
- Time
- 23:35 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- DH8D
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate chop
- Remarks
- zob
- E170 at 25,000 ft, 10 nm east, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): moderate turbulence above 25,000 ft, remarks: zob. At the destination end, 10 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BUF UA /OV BUF120010/TM 2237/FL250/TP E170/TB MOD 250/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through BUF
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (120°) of BUF
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- moderate at 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- B712 at 600 ft, 0 nm south, 9:06 pm EDT (01:06 UTC): overcast. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV KLEX/TM 0106/FL006/TP B712/SK OVC B006
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over KLEX
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- overcast B006
- CRJ9 descending, 0 nm south, 7:43 pm EDT (23:43 UTC): overcast up to 6,200 ft; overcast above 1,800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV LEX/TM 2343/FLDURD/TP CRJ9/SK TOPS OVC062 BASES OVC018
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over LEX
- Time
- 23:43 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- tops OVC062 bases OVC018
- B737 at 23,000 ft, 42 nm northwest, 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC): light turbulence. 40 nm along the route, 42 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV CVG/TM 2351/FL230/TP B737/TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over CVG
- Time
- 23:51 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light
- B739 climbing, 45 nm northwest, 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 UTC): overcast. 40 nm along the route, 45 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 2331/FLDURC/TP B739/SK B026 OVC T036
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 23:31 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- B026 overcast T036
- A333 at 4,000 ft, 49 nm northwest, 6:44 pm EDT (22:44 UTC): overcast. 40 nm along the route, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV CVG270010/TM 2244/FL040/TP A333/SK B025 OVC T035
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 10 nm west (270°) of CVG
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A333
- Sky
- B025 overcast T035
- B744 climbing, 49 nm northwest, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): light turbulence, overcast. 50 nm along the route, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 10 N CVG/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP B744/SK B022 OVC T036/TB LT TB SFC-036
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 10 north cvg
- Time
- 00:02 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B744
- Sky
- B022 overcast T036
- Turbulence
- lt turbulence from the surface to 3,600 ft
- CRJ9 at 28,000 ft, 11 nm southeast, 6:33 pm EDT (22:33 UTC): light turbulence. 50 nm along the route, 11 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV FGX/TM 2233/FL280/TP CRJ9/TB LGT
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over FGX
- Time
- 22:33 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- light
- P28A climbing, 46 nm southeast, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: instrument conditions. 80 nm along the route, 46 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HTS UA /OV DWU/TM 2315/FLDURC/TP P28A/TB SMOOTH/RM IMC
- Report
- a routine report filed through HTS
- Where
- over DWU
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Turbulence
- smooth
- Remarks
- instrument conditions
- BCS3 at 3,000 ft, 17 nm northwest, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 139 nm along the route, 17 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV CMH/TM 0027/FL030/TP BCS3/SK T037
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over CMH
- Time
- 00:27 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- T037
- C150 climbing, 2 nm south, 6:45 pm EDT (22:45 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 139 nm along the route, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV LHQ/TM 2245/FLDURC/TP C150/SK B015 T038
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over LHQ
- Time
- 22:45 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- C150
- Sky
- B015 T038
- CRJ7 descending, 5 nm west, 9:17 pm EDT (01:17 UTC): remarks: bases 2,000 ft. 229 nm along the route, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CAK UA /OV CAK/TM 0117/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/RM BASES 020
- Report
- a routine report filed through CAK
- Where
- over CAK
- Time
- 01:17 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Remarks
- bases 2,000 ft
- AEST descending, 5 nm west, 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC): remarks: bases 1,600 ft. 229 nm along the route, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
CAK UA /OV CAK/TM 2236/FLDURD/TP AEST/RM BASES 016
- Report
- a routine report filed through CAK
- Where
- over CAK
- Time
- 22:36 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- AEST
- Remarks
- bases 1,600 ft
9 more routine reports are on the map.
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 4 forecast points nearest it (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 | 330° at 5 kt | +2 kt | 118 kt | 3 h 22 min | 12:46 am EDT (04:46 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 10 kt | +3 kt | 117 kt | 3 h 24 min | 12:48 am EDT (04:48 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 12 kt | +5 kt | 10 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 28 min | 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 340° at 12 kt | +6 kt | 6 °C | 114 kt | 3 h 29 min | 12:53 am EDT (04:53 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 11 kt | +5 kt | 3 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 28 min | 12:52 am EDT (04:52 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 330° at 12 kt | +4 kt | -1 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 26 min | 12:50 am EDT (04:50 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 14 kt | +4 kt | -5 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 26 min | 12:50 am EDT (04:50 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 16 kt | +4 kt | -9 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 26 min | 12:50 am EDT (04:50 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 16 kt | +4 kt | -10 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 26 min | 12:50 am EDT (04:50 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 16 kt | 0 | -22 °C | 120 kt | 3 h 19 min | 12:43 am EDT (04:43 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 24 kt | −7 kt | -35 °C | 127 kt | 3 h 08 min | 12:32 am EDT (04:32 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 30 kt | −22 kt | -40 °C | 142 kt | 2 h 48 min | 12:12 am EDT (04:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 35 kt | −28 kt | -48 °C | 148 kt | 2 h 41 min | 12:05 am EDT (04:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVG | used from 0 nm out; 46 nm from the line | 350/13 | 340/20 13° | 340/22 8° | 350/30 3° | 340/30 -9° | 340/38 -21° | 330/37 -35° | 320/38 -40° | 310/35 -47° |
| CMH | used from 100 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 340/14 | 320/13 12° | 350/12 8° | 360/10 2° | 350/27 -10° | 340/20 -22° | 320/31 -35° | 270/25 -39° | 260/32 -48° |
| CLE | used from 199 nm out; 40 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° |
| BUF | used from 299 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 170/19 | L/V 10° | 040/9 6° | 220/8 2° | 230/15 -11° | 220/33 -22° | 220/47 -35° | 230/55 -41° | 230/56 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX Lexington, KY | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 9 mi | 800 ft | 979 ft | 8:59 pm EDT (00:59 UTC) |
| IOB Mount Sterling, KY | 20 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| AMT West Union, OH | 70 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 896 ft | ||||
| LCK Columbus, OH | 129 nm out, 11 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 743 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| CMH Columbus, OH | 139 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 815 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| PHD New Philadelphia, OH | 209 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 894 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| CAK Akron, OH | 229 nm out, 5 nm west 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 |
| YNG Youngstown/Warren, OH | 269 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,300 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,300 ft | 1,191 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| ERI Erie, PA | 319 nm out, 11 nm northwest 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 |
| DKK Dunkirk, NY | 358 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the east (100°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 692 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the east (090°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 726 ft | 8:54 pm EDT (00:54 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, 12:05 am EDT (04:05 UTC)
Wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,500 feet 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 LEX, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 3 knots, visibility 2 miles, mist, clear skies
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ¼ mile, fog, overcast at 100 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 239 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 259 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
- 6/8888 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 5 nm from the route, 269 nm along the route · security · today · ZOB
Daylight
Sunset at LEX 7:05 pm EDT (23:05 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at BUF is before sunrise there (7:24 am EDT (11:24 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: Blue Grass Airport, Buffalo Niagara International.