Harrisburg International to Alexandria International MDT → AEX
933 nautical miles (1,074 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 240°, about 251° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 7 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 3-knot headwind), arriving about 4:39 am CDT (09:39 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MDT is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots; AEX is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 5 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: 9 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 2E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the first 40 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2E VALID UNTIL 0255Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD AND NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30NE SAX-30SSW HTO-30ESE EMI-50WSW HAR-30NE SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 69 to 308 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 first 476 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 149 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 30 to 467 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 MDT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 22 nm east, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 22 nm east 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
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 10 nm south, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 99 nm along the route, 10 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
- Report
- a routine report filed through OKV
- Where
- 20 nm east (100°) of ESL
- Time
- 23:44 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent FRDMM7 star
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 50 nm northwest, 7:49 pm EDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 109 nm along the route, 50 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
2G9 UA /OV IHD/TM 2349/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD 300/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through 2G9
- Where
- over IHD
- Time
- 23:49 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- UAL2761 at 31,000 ft, 25 nm northwest, 7:57 pm EDT (23:57 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 218° at 58 knots. 149 nm along the route, 25 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2761 3917N 07949W 2357 F310 218/058KT TB CONT MOD TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 4 nm east, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence. 357 nm along the route, 4 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV AZQ170020/TM 2345/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 20 nm south (170°) of AZQ
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- moderate
- BE40 at 29,000 ft, 28 nm northwest, 7:22 pm EDT (23:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 29,000 ft, remarks: zme. 635 nm along the route, 28 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TUP UA /OV TUP045041/TM 2322/FL290/TP BE40/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 290-260/RM ZME
- Report
- a routine report filed through TUP
- Where
- 41 nm northeast (045°) of TUP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE40
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate chop from 29,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- zme
- E145 at 8,000 ft, 10 nm southeast, 8:30 pm EDT (00:30 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV 10 SE MDT/TM 0030/FL080/TP E145/TB LIGHT CHOP GOING THROUGH THE MODERATE RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- 10 southeast mdt
- Time
- 00:30 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- light chop going through the moderate rain
- P28R at 1,000 ft, 22 nm east, 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 UTC): a broken layer above 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV LRP/TM 2331/FL010/TP P28R/SK BKN010
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 23:31 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- P28R
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,000 ft
- C680 at 1,400 ft, 38 nm east, 7:20 pm EDT (23:20 UTC): a broken layer above 1,400 ft, remarks: reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36. At the departure end, 38 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDG UA /OV 2 S RDG/TM 2320/FL014/TP C680/SK BKN014/RM REPORTED 30KT CROSSWIND UNTIL 400 FEET AGL, WIND CALM BELOW 400 FEET AGL. FNL RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDG
- Where
- 2 south rdg
- Time
- 23:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,400 ft
- Remarks
- reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36
- CRJ7 at 1,100 ft, 13 nm northwest, 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft; a broken layer above 4,100 ft. At the departure end, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV HAR/TM 2243/FL011/TP CRJ7/SK BKN012 BKN041
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over HAR
- Time
- 22:43 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- BKN012 BKN041
- FA8X climbing, 45 nm southeast, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. 69 nm along the route, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- FA8X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- B39M at 2,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. 69 nm along the route, 44 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML320005/TM 2303/FL020/TP B39M/SK BASES OVC 007
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (320°) of AML
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- bases overcast at 700 ft
- CRJ9 at 15,000 ft, 18 nm southeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): no turbulence. 248 nm along the route, 18 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV BKW/TM 0023/FL150/TP CRJ9/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over BKW
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- none
- CRJ9 climbing, 24 nm northwest, 8:15 pm EDT (00:15 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 248 nm along the route, 24 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CRW UA /OV CRW/TM 0015/FLDURC/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 014 TOPS 070
- Report
- a routine report filed through CRW
- Where
- over CRW
- Time
- 00:15 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 1,400 ft tops 7,000 ft
5 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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (PSB, EKN, CRW, TRI, TYS, BNA, HSV, BHM, JAN, SHV). 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 | 300° at 16 kt | +7 kt | 12 °C | 113 kt | 8 h 15 min | 4:56 am CDT (09:56 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | +5 kt | 13 °C | 115 kt | 8 h 07 min | 4:48 am CDT (09:48 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | +4 kt | 10 °C | 116 kt | 8 h 03 min | 4:44 am CDT (09:44 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | +3 kt | 7 °C | 117 kt | 7 h 58 min | 4:39 am CDT (09:39 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | +3 kt | 3 °C | 117 kt | 7 h 58 min | 4:39 am CDT (09:39 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 310° at 20 kt | +5 kt | -1 °C | 115 kt | 8 h 07 min | 4:48 am CDT (09:48 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 310° at 21 kt | +7 kt | -5 °C | 113 kt | 8 h 15 min | 4:56 am CDT (09:56 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 21 kt | +8 kt | -8 °C | 112 kt | 8 h 20 min | 5:01 am CDT (10:01 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 290° at 23 kt | +14 kt | -19 °C | 106 kt | 8 h 48 min | 5:29 am CDT (10:29 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 280° at 31 kt | +22 kt | -32 °C | 98 kt | 9 h 31 min | 6:12 am CDT (11:12 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 31 kt | +21 kt | -40 °C | 99 kt | 9 h 25 min | 6:06 am CDT (11:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 32 kt | +22 kt | -49 °C | 98 kt | 9 h 31 min | 6:12 am CDT (11:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSB | used from 0 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° | |
| EKN | used from 99 nm out; 40 nm from the line | 270/18 13° | 310/5 7° | 140/7 3° | 210/16 -9° | 220/41 -20° | 210/57 -32° | 220/57 -38° | 230/49 -47° | |
| CRW | used from 199 nm out; 35 nm from the line | 320/16 | 310/16 12° | 320/12 7° | 320/12 2° | 330/15 -11° | 280/11 -22° | 230/26 -30° | 240/33 -37° | 240/37 -47° |
| TRI | used from 298 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 310/28 11° | 320/32 7° | 330/30 2° | 300/28 -9° | 280/34 -21° | 250/37 -31° | 240/39 -38° | 250/35 -48° | |
| TYS | used from 397 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 290/19 | 310/22 11° | 330/25 7° | 330/34 3° | 320/37 -7° | 300/37 -18° | 300/37 -34° | 280/29 -39° | 270/29 -48° |
| BNA | used from 496 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 280/13 | 340/34 16° | 330/38 10° | 330/44 5° | 330/39 -8° | 330/38 -19° | 320/49 -34° | 330/53 -40° | 330/35 -47° |
| HSV | used from 546 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 290/15 | 330/34 16° | 330/38 11° | 330/40 5° | 320/36 -7° | 320/31 -18° | 320/44 -34° | 330/53 -41° | 330/34 -48° |
| BHM | used from 645 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 300/16 | 330/32 16° | 320/37 11° | 330/37 6° | 310/33 -7° | 310/30 -18° | 320/40 -34° | 330/43 -41° | 330/30 -49° |
| JAN | used from 695 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 260/6 | 310/14 17° | 280/13 12° | 290/19 6° | 310/22 -5° | 310/28 -17° | 320/44 -32° | 330/48 -41° | 320/52 -51° |
| SHV | used from 893 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 190/11 | 230/19 17° | 230/26 12° | 260/15 7° | 280/16 -4° | 300/17 -15° | 300/34 -30° | 300/31 -41° | 310/42 -52° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | departure | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 310 ft | 9:28 pm EDT (01:28 UTC) |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 50 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the north (010°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17 | 6 mi | 400 ft | 703 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| EKN Elkins, WV | 159 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | calm | 3 mi | 900 ft | 1,987 ft | 01:33 UTC |
| CRW Charleston, WV | 248 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: mist | variable at 6 knots | 1 mi | 700 ft | 947 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| EBD Williamson, WV | 288 nm out, 5 nm west of the line | no report just now | 1,883 ft | ||||
| SCX Oneida, TN | 427 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | calm | 3 mi | 400 ft | 1,544 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| THA Tullahoma, TN | 536 nm out, 2 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,084 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 586 nm out, 20 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| TUP Tupelo, MS | 675 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 346 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| GWO Greenwood, MS | 754 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 162 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| AEX Alexandria, LA | destination | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 88 ft | 7:53 pm CDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,987 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At AEX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:39 am CDT (09:39 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for AEX
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for MDT, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 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 MDT 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at AEX 6:42 pm CDT (23:42 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at AEX is before sunrise there (7:10 am CDT (12:10 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: Harrisburg International, Alexandria International.
