Plan a flight · Mon 8:01 am CDT (13:01 UTC)

MC Allen International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport MFE → DCA

1,310 nautical miles (1,508 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 049°, about 045° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 29 min at the quickest height in today's winds (3,500 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MFE is marginal VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots; DCA is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 12 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: 1 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 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist, fog). Over the route from 387 to 725 nm out.
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 506 nm of the route.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 874 to 1161 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 1003 to 1281 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 1013 to 1092 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 149 nm of 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). Over the route from 1181 to 1261 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 MFE.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

B737 at 23,000 ft, 33 nm southeast, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): no turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: zhu. 457 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BTR UA /OV KLSU945005/TM 1230/FL230/TP B737/TB NEG 000-230/RM ZHU
```
Report
a routine report filed through BTR
Where
5 nm southwest (945°) of KLSU
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 23,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
no from 0 ft to 23,000 ft
Remarks
zhu
A21N at 34,000 ft, 33 nm southeast, 6:37 am CDT (11:37 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: zhu. 457 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BTR UA /OV KBTR/TM 1137/FL340/TP A21N/TB NEG/RM ZHU
```
Report
a routine report filed through BTR
Where
over KBTR
Time
11:37 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
A21N
Turbulence
none
Remarks
zhu
BE36 at 8,000 ft, 19 nm northwest, 6:18 am CDT (11:18 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, remarks: ZME65. 526 nm along the route, 19 nm northwest 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
B38M at 39,000 ft, 26 nm southeast, 6:58 am CDT (11:58 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 02. 794 nm along the route, 26 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV CTJ300040/TM 1158/FL390/TP B38M/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 02
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
40 nm northwest (300°) of CTJ
Time
11:58 UTC
Height
at 39,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 02
F2TH at 41,000 ft, 27 nm southeast, 6:57 am CDT (11:57 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 02. 814 nm along the route, 27 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV RMG270015/TM 1157/FL410/TP F2TH/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 02
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
15 nm west (270°) of RMG
Time
11:57 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 02
CRJ9 at 200 ft, 11 nm north, 7:30 am CDT (12:30 UTC): sky obscured, remarks: visual at mins runway 20 cha. 854 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA 1N/TM 1230/FL002/TP CRJ9/SK VV002/WX 1/8SM/RM VISUAL AT MINS RY 20 CHA
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
cha 1N
Time
12:30 UTC
Height
at 200 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
sky obscured from 200 ft
Weather
1/8SM
Remarks
visual at mins runway 20 cha
B712 at 1,500 ft, 11 nm north, 7:26 am CDT (12:26 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 854 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1226/FL015/TP B712/SK TOP015/RM DURC. RY 20 DEPARTURE
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
12:26 UTC
Height
at 1,500 ft
Aircraft
B712
Sky
TOP015
Remarks
during the climb runway 20 departure
E145 at 1,000 ft, 11 nm north, 7:19 am CDT (12:19 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 20 arrival weather at ils clear-air turbulence 2 mins. 854 nm along the route, 11 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA/TM 1219/FL010/TP E145/RM DURD. RY 20 ARRIVAL. WX AT ILS CAT 2 MINS
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
over CHA
Time
12:19 UTC
Height
at 1,000 ft
Aircraft
E145
Remarks
during the descent runway 20 arrival weather at ils clear-air turbulence 2 mins
C56X at 1,000 ft, 11 nm north, 6:04 am CDT (11:04 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 854 nm along the route, 11 nm north 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, 11 nm north, 5:15 am CDT (10:15 UTC): remarks: during the climb runway 20 departure. 854 nm along the route, 11 nm north 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
B739 at 36,000 ft, 47 nm northwest, 6:34 am CDT (11:34 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 36. 864 nm along the route, 47 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV HCH250025/TM 1134/FL360/TP B739/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 36
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
25 nm west (250°) of HCH
Time
11:34 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B739
Turbulence
light
Remarks
ztlfd 36
B38M at 35,000 ft, 15 nm southeast, 5:04 am CDT (10:04 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 39. 874 nm along the route, 15 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 20,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 7:55 am CDT (12:55 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 41. 923 nm along the route, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV VXV260020/TM 1255/FL200/TP CRJ9/TB NEG/RM ZTLFD 41
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
20 nm west (260°) of VXV
Time
12:55 UTC
Height
at 20,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Turbulence
none
Remarks
ztlfd 41
E75L at 5,000 ft, 16 nm north, 7:03 am CDT (12:03 UTC): overcast up to 1,100 ft. 923 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TYS UA /OV TYS230005/TM 1203/FL050/TP E75L/SK OVC-TOP011
```
Report
a routine report filed through TYS
Where
5 nm southwest (230°) of TYS
Time
12:03 UTC
Height
at 5,000 ft
Aircraft
E75L
Sky
overcast, tops 1,100 ft

16 more routine reports are on the map.

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 14 forecast points nearest it (BRO, CRP, PSX, HOU, LCH, MSY, 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	260° at 4 kt	−5 kt		125 kt	10 h 29 min	7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC)
5,500 ft	310° at 6 kt	−3 kt	11 °C	123 kt	10 h 39 min	7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC)
7,500 ft	320° at 9 kt	−1 kt	14 °C	121 kt	10 h 50 min	7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC)
9,500 ft	330° at 11 kt	+1 kt	10 °C	119 kt	11 h 01 min	8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC)
11,500 ft	330° at 12 kt	+1 kt	7 °C	119 kt	11 h 01 min	8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC)
13,500 ft	330° at 14 kt	+1 kt	3 °C	119 kt	11 h 01 min	8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC)
15,500 ft	330° at 16 kt	0	-1 °C	120 kt	10 h 55 min	7:56 pm EDT (23:56 UTC)
17,500 ft	320° at 19 kt	−1 kt	-5 °C	121 kt	10 h 50 min	7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	320° at 19 kt	−2 kt	-6 °C	122 kt	10 h 44 min	7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 19 kt	−2 kt	-17 °C	122 kt	10 h 44 min	7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	330° at 32 kt	+2 kt	-31 °C	118 kt	11 h 06 min	8:07 pm EDT (00:07 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	330° at 35 kt	+3 kt	-40 °C	117 kt	11 h 12 min	8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	340° at 33 kt	+6 kt	-50 °C	114 kt	11 h 29 min	8:30 pm EDT (00:30 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
BRO	used from 0 nm out; 41 nm from the line	160/15	160/15 18°	170/11 14°	150/7 9°	L/V -4°	170/6 -15°	100/15 -29°	100/14 -41°	040/26 -51°
CRP	used from 50 nm out; 50 nm from the line	140/21	160/22 17°	180/14 13°	210/6 9°	270/10 -5°	200/8 -13°	L/V -29°	L/V -40°	030/28 -51°
PSX	used from 149 nm out; 49 nm from the line	160/24	190/17 17°	200/10 15°	L/V 8°	260/7 -5°	220/10 -12°	310/11 -30°	320/13 -40°	010/29 -51°
HOU	used from 248 nm out; 61 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 298 nm out; 36 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°
MSY	used from 447 nm out; 87 nm from the line	150/9	140/8 18°	L/V 13°	L/V 6°	320/15 -5°	310/16 -16°	320/32 -31°	340/35 -40°	350/34 -52°
JAN	used from 496 nm out; 47 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 645 nm out; 76 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 794 nm out; 53 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 844 nm out; 65 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 993 nm out; 8 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 1092 nm out; 29 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 1191 nm out; 71 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 1241 nm out; 64 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
MFE Mc Allen, TX	departure	marginal VFR Weather: mist	from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots	4 mi	none	107 ft	7:53 am CDT (12:53 UTC)
HRL Harlingen, TX	30 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	from the east (100°) at 3 knots	9 mi	none	36 ft	12:52 UTC
LCH Lake Charles, LA	357 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the east-southeast (110°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	14 ft	12:53 UTC
LFT Lafayette, LA	407 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	9 mi	none	40 ft	12:53 UTC
JAN Jackson, MS	566 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	346 ft	12:54 UTC
TCL Tuscaloosa, AL	695 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	9 mi	none	169 ft	12:53 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	854 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower	low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog	calm	0.13 mi	200 ft	682 ft	12:53 UTC
TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN	1022 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 2,100 feet	from the west (260°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	2,100 ft	1,518 ft	12:53 UTC
ROA Roanoke, VA	1142 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,500 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 17 knots, gusting to 26	10+ mi	none	1,175 ft	12:54 UTC
CHO Charlottesville, VA	1231 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,100 feet, a broken layer at 4,100 feet	calm	10+ mi	4,100 ft	640 ft	12:53 UTC
DCA Washington, DC	destination	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet	from the north (350°) at 12 knots	10+ mi	3,200 ft	14 ft	8:52 am EDT (12:52 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, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC)

Wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,500 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DCA

From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,100 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
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 2,000 feet, overcast at 3,500 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, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 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 4,000 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 4,500 feet
From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
From Tue 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for MFE, the departure

From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 3:00 pm CDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
From Tue 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 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 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at MFE 7:07 pm CDT (00:07 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 after sunset there (6:34 pm EDT (22:34 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: MC Allen International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.