Plan a flight · Sun 7:36 pm CDT (00:36 UTC)

Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport MSP → DCA

807 nautical miles (929 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 111°, about 111° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 4 h 52 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 46-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:28 am EDT (05:28 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MSP is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots; DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) 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: 5,073 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 E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 608 to 608 nm out.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
PA MD VA NC WV OH KY
FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC
AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.

SIGMET E16E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 25 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 737 to 777 nm out.

as issued

WSUS31 KKCI 112355
MKCE WST 112355
CONVECTIVE SIGMET 16E
VALID UNTIL 0155Z
NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ NY CSTL WTRS
FROM SAX-30SE JFK-10N DCA-60ENE EKN-SAX
AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22025KT. TOPS TO FL320.

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 448 to 578 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 618 to 757 nm out.
AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 628 to 797 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 140 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 MSP.

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

A321 at 30,000 ft, 3 nm east, 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC): moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: zob. 678 nm along the route, 3 nm east 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, 45 nm southwest, 6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 218° at 58 knots. 688 nm along the route, 45 nm southwest 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
E170 at 22,500 ft, 19 nm southwest, 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 737 nm along the route, 19 nm southwest 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
B39M at 34,000 ft, 40 nm southwest, 6:25 pm CDT (23:25 UTC): light chop turbulence. At the departure end, 40 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MSP UA /OV MSP240040/TM 2325/FL340/TP B39M/TB LGT CHOP
```
Report
a routine report filed through MSP
Where
40 nm southwest (240°) of MSP
Time
23:25 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B39M
Turbulence
light chop
B737 at 32,000 ft, 27 nm southwest, 5:42 pm CDT (22:42 UTC): light clear-air turbulence. 209 nm along the route, 27 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
UES UA /OV BAE270030/TM 2242/FL320/TP B737/TB OCNL LGT CAT
```
Report
a routine report filed through UES
Where
30 nm west (270°) of BAE
Time
22:42 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
B737
Turbulence
occasional light clear-air turbulence
B738 at 36,000 ft, 15 nm southwest, 5:11 pm CDT (22:11 UTC): no turbulence. 239 nm along the route, 15 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 2211/FL360/TP B738/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through UES
Where
over BAE
Time
22:11 UTC
Height
at 36,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
none
CRJ7 at 17,000 ft, 45 nm south, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): no turbulence. 309 nm along the route, 45 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BEH UA /OV ELX270040/TM 0004/FL170/TP CRJ7/TB NEG
```
Report
a routine report filed through BEH
Where
40 nm west (270°) of ELX
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 17,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ7
Turbulence
none
B38M at 31,000 ft, 12 nm southwest, 7:04 pm CDT (00:04 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 31,000 ft. 369 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AZO UA /OV AZO/TM 0004/FL310/TP B38M/TB CONS LGT CHOP 310 BLO
```
Report
a routine report filed through AZO
Where
over AZO
Time
00:04 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B38M
Turbulence
continuous light chop at 31,000 ft below
F2TH at 3,100 ft, 2 nm south, 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 UTC): remarks: tops 3,100 ft. 379 nm along the route, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AZO UA /OV BTL/TM 2340/FL031/TP F2TH/RM TOPS 031
```
Report
a routine report filed through AZO
Where
over BTL
Time
23:40 UTC
Height
at 3,100 ft
Aircraft
F2TH
Remarks
tops 3,100 ft
UAL2761 at 33,000 ft, 28 nm southwest, 6:24 pm CDT (23:24 UTC): no turbulence, wind 310° at 40 knots. 419 nm along the route, 28 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ARP UAL2761 4139N 08447W 2324 F330 310/040KT TB SMTH IC
```
Report
a routine report filed through ARP
BE36 at 3,000 ft, 37 nm northeast, 5:20 pm CDT (22:20 UTC): no turbulence, imc. 438 nm along the route, 37 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV SVM/TM 2220/FL030/TP BE36/SK IMC/TB SMOOTH
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over SVM
Time
22:20 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
BE36
Sky
instrument conditions
Turbulence
smooth
E55P descending, 29 nm northeast, 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 448 nm along the route, 29 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
YIP UA /OV KYIP/TM 2300/FLDURD/TP E55P/SK B015
```
Report
a routine report filed through YIP
Where
over KYIP
Time
23:00 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
E55P
Sky
B015
A21N descending, 32 nm northeast, 7:22 pm CDT (00:22 UTC): overcast above 1,500 ft. 458 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
DTW UA /OV DTW/TM 0022/FLDURD/TP A21N/SK OVC015
```
Report
a routine report filed through DTW
Where
over DTW
Time
00:22 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
A21N
Sky
overcast from 1,500 ft
A320 climbing, 11 nm southwest, 7:14 pm CDT (00:14 UTC): overcast. 458 nm along the route, 11 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
TOL UA /OV TOL/TM 0014/FLDURC/TP A320/SK B025 OVC T040
```
Report
a routine report filed through TOL
Where
over TOL
Time
00:14 UTC
Height
during the climb
Aircraft
A320
Sky
B025 overcast T040

16 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 9 forecast points nearest it (MSP, LSE, GRB, MKG, FWA, CLE, AGC, 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	230° at 11 kt	−4 kt		124 kt	6 h 30 min	3:06 am EDT (07:06 UTC)
5,500 ft	270° at 11 kt	−10 kt	13 °C	130 kt	6 h 12 min	2:48 am EDT (06:48 UTC)
7,500 ft	280° at 12 kt	−11 kt	12 °C	131 kt	6 h 10 min	2:46 am EDT (06:46 UTC)
9,500 ft	280° at 11 kt	−11 kt	8 °C	131 kt	6 h 10 min	2:46 am EDT (06:46 UTC)
11,500 ft	290° at 10 kt	−10 kt	5 °C	130 kt	6 h 12 min	2:48 am EDT (06:48 UTC)
13,500 ft	290° at 11 kt	−11 kt	0 °C	131 kt	6 h 10 min	2:46 am EDT (06:46 UTC)
15,500 ft	280° at 13 kt	−13 kt	-4 °C	133 kt	6 h 04 min	2:40 am EDT (06:40 UTC)
17,500 ft	280° at 16 kt	−15 kt	-9 °C	135 kt	5 h 59 min	2:35 am EDT (06:35 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	280° at 16 kt	−15 kt	-10 °C	135 kt	5 h 59 min	2:35 am EDT (06:35 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	290° at 23 kt	−22 kt	-21 °C	142 kt	5 h 41 min	2:17 am EDT (06:17 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	290° at 32 kt	−31 kt	-35 °C	151 kt	5 h 21 min	1:57 am EDT (05:57 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	280° at 37 kt	−34 kt	-43 °C	154 kt	5 h 14 min	1:50 am EDT (05:50 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	280° at 50 kt	−46 kt	-50 °C	166 kt	4 h 52 min	1:28 am EDT (05:28 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
MSP	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	200/28	240/30 19°	240/24 12°	240/17 5°	270/24 -10°	270/33 -20°	280/48 -35°	290/55 -45°	280/84 -54°
LSE	used from 50 nm out; 36 nm from the line	220/33	250/29 17°	250/15 9°	260/12 6°	280/21 -9°	280/33 -20°	300/43 -36°	310/56 -45°	300/79 -53°
GRB	used from 149 nm out; 72 nm from the line	240/24	260/18 16°	270/20 11°	290/14 4°	280/24 -9°	300/34 -21°	310/51 -38°	310/54 -48°	300/71 -51°
MKG	used from 249 nm out; 51 nm from the line	250/5	320/10 15°	310/19 9°	320/21 3°	310/23 -10°	330/37 -22°	330/51 -38°	320/44 -47°	300/60 -49°
FWA	used from 399 nm out; 72 nm from the line	350/9	350/24 15°	360/25 9°	360/29 4°	350/31 -10°	340/39 -22°	330/40 -37°	320/38 -43°	320/48 -48°
CLE	used from 448 nm out; 69 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°
AGC	used from 598 nm out; 25 nm from the line	140/12	350/10 12°	L/V 9°	L/V 3°	200/11 -11°	220/21 -22°	220/47 -33°	230/51 -39°	230/45 -48°
EKN	used from 698 nm out; 72 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°
RIC	used from 747 nm out; 100 nm from the line	190/33	200/29 14°	210/31 12°	210/38 6°	230/42 -7°	230/68 -16°	220/84 -29°	220/86 -40°	220/81 -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
MSP Minneapolis, MN	departure	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 25,000 feet	from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	25,000 ft	841 ft	6:53 pm CDT (23:53 UTC)
RGK Red Wing, MN	40 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (150°) at 6 knots	10+ mi	none	778 ft	00:15 UTC
CMY Sparta, WI	120 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	839 ft	23:55 UTC
UES Waukesha, WI	239 nm out, 19 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (180°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	911 ft	23:45 UTC
MWC Milwaukee, WI	249 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	none	744 ft	00:15 UTC
BTL Battle Creek, MI	379 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,300 feet	from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	951 ft	23:53 UTC
TOL Toledo, OH	458 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,200 feet	from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	2,200 ft	683 ft	00:21 UTC
CLE Cleveland, OH	538 nm out, 21 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet	from the north (350°) at 3 knots	10+ mi	2,000 ft	799 ft	23:51 UTC
CAK Akron, OH	568 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet	from the northeast (040°) at 5 knots	10+ mi	700 ft	1,225 ft	23:51 UTC
AGC Pittsburgh, PA	648 nm out, 9 nm north of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,100 feet, a broken layer at 1,800 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet	variable at 4 knots	10+ mi	1,800 ft	1,251 ft	00:30 UTC
JYO Leesburg, VA	777 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line, tower	IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle	from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots	7 mi	500 ft	389 ft	23:35 UTC
DCA Washington, DC	destination	IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet	from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	600 ft	14 ft	7:52 pm EDT (23:52 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,251 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, 1:28 am EDT (05:28 UTC)

Wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 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 MSP, the departure

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 15,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/6656 ANOKA, MN, Monday, October 5, 2026 through Monday, October 19, 2026 Local 19 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 19 October · ZMP
6/8829 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 22 nm from the route, 588 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
6/8587 Youngstown, OH, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 598 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZOB
6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC

Daylight

Sunset at MSP 6:33 pm CDT (23:33 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

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the Northeast · 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: Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.