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 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MFE is VFR, wind from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots; DCA is VFR, wind from the north (350°) 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: 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- A320 at 34,000 ft, 49 nm southeast, 6:17 am CDT (11:17 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 50. 993 nm along the route, 49 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV SUG/TM 1117/FL340/TP A320/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 50
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- over SUG
- Time
- 11:17 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- ztlfd 50
- CRJ9 at 6,000 ft, 7 nm northwest, 5:10 am CDT (10:10 UTC): a broken layer from 4,600 ft to 5,800 ft. 1013 nm along the route, 7 nm northwest 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
- A321 at 30,000 ft, 43 nm southeast, 6:55 am CDT (11:55 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ztlfd 43. 1042 nm along the route, 43 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV BZM330010/TM 1155/FL300/TP A321/TB LGT/RM ZTLFD 43
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 10 nm northwest (330°) of BZM
- Time
- 11:55 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- light
- Remarks
- ztlfd 43
- E75L descending, 6 nm southeast, 6:09 am CDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. 1142 nm along the route, 6 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
- UAL1428 at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 6:36 am CDT (11:36 UTC): no turbulence, -39 °C, wind 360° at 59 knots. At the destination end, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1428 3923N 07750W 1136 F320 MS39 360/059KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B39M descending, 15 nm northwest, 5:42 am CDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 15 nm northwest 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
- E170 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm north, 6:32 am CDT (11:32 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 1132/FL010/TP E170/SK BKN012
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- over DCA
- Time
- 11:32 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,200 ft
2 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 | 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 310° at 6 kt | −3 kt | 11 °C | 123 kt | 10 h 39 min | 6:48 pm EDT (22:48 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 320° at 9 kt | −1 kt | 14 °C | 121 kt | 10 h 50 min | 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 330° at 11 kt | +1 kt | 10 °C | 119 kt | 11 h 01 min | 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 330° at 12 kt | +1 kt | 7 °C | 119 kt | 11 h 01 min | 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 330° at 14 kt | +1 kt | 3 °C | 119 kt | 11 h 01 min | 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 16 kt | 0 | -1 °C | 120 kt | 10 h 55 min | 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | −1 kt | -5 °C | 121 kt | 10 h 50 min | 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 19 kt | −2 kt | -6 °C | 122 kt | 10 h 44 min | 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 19 kt | −2 kt | -17 °C | 122 kt | 10 h 44 min | 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 330° at 32 kt | +2 kt | -31 °C | 118 kt | 11 h 06 min | 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 35 kt | +3 kt | -40 °C | 117 kt | 11 h 12 min | 7:21 pm EDT (23:21 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 340° at 33 kt | +6 kt | -50 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 29 min | 7:38 pm EDT (23:38 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 | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | none | 107 ft | 6:53 am CDT (11:53 UTC) |
| HRL Harlingen, TX | 30 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (130°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 36 ft | 11:52 UTC |
| LCH Lake Charles, LA | 357 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 14 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| LFT Lafayette, LA | 407 nm out, 22 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 40 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| JAN Jackson, MS | 566 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the southeast (140°) at 4 knots | 9 mi | none | 346 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| TCL Tuscaloosa, AL | 695 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 5 mi | none | 169 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 854 nm out, 11 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 200 feet Weather: fog | from the west (270°) at 3 knots | 0.13 mi | 200 ft | 682 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 1022 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | from the west (270°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 1,518 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 1142 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,400 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 3,400 ft | 1,175 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 1231 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 640 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 14 ft | 7:52 am EDT (11:52 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, 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 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







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.
