Norfolk International to Chicago O'Hare International ORF → ORD
622 nautical miles (716 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 303°, about 312° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 27 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 6-knot headwind), arriving about 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ORF is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots; ORD is VFR, wind from the south (180°) 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: 3,687 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 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 118 to 178 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 138 to 207 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 138 to 286 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 route from 237 to 454 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 ORF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- UAL2761 at 31,000 ft, 32 nm northeast, 7:57 pm EDT (23:57 UTC): moderate turbulence, wind 218° at 58 knots. 217 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast 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
- B38M at 29,000 ft, 50 nm northeast, 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC): moderate turbulence above 29,000 ft, remarks: zob. 257 nm along the route, 50 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MPG UA /OV AIR120030/TM 0055/FL290/TP B38M /TB OCNL MOD 290/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through MPG
- Where
- 30 nm southeast (120°) of AIR
- Time
- 00:55 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- occasional moderate at 29,000 ft
- Remarks
- zob
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 5 nm east, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 69 nm along the route, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 0006/FL006/TP BCS3/SK BASES 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- bases 600 ft
- E170 at 500 ft, 6 nm north, 8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 128 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV CHO/TM 0001/FL005/TP E170/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- over CHO
- Time
- 00:01 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- E175 at 600 ft, 6 nm north, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 128 nm along the route, 6 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHO UA /OV CHO/TM 2220/FL006/TP E175/SK BASES 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHO
- Where
- over CHO
- Time
- 22:20 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- E175
- Sky
- bases 600 ft
- B737 at 40,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 6:11 pm EDT (22:11 UTC): no turbulence. 207 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV EKN150020/TM 2211/FL400/TP B737/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 20 nm southeast (150°) of EKN
- Time
- 22:11 UTC
- Height
- at 40,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- none
- BCS3 at 25,000 ft, 4 nm north, 8:58 pm EDT (00:58 UTC): light turbulence, no icing, remarks: during the climb. 286 nm along the route, 4 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PKB UA /OV JPU/TM 0058/FL250/TP BCS3/TB LGT/IC NEG/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through PKB
- Where
- over JPU
- Time
- 00:58 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- light
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the climb
- P28A descending, 28 nm southwest, 6:14 pm EDT (22:14 UTC): scattered clouds above 1,200 ft. 316 nm along the route, 28 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
HTS UA /OV KUNI/TM 2214/FLDURD/TP P28A/SK SCT012/WX 3SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through HTS
- Where
- over KUNI
- Time
- 22:14 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- P28A
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 1,200 ft
- Weather
- 3SM
- C150 climbing, 10 nm southwest, 6:45 pm EDT (22:45 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 346 nm along the route, 10 nm southwest 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
- BCS3 at 3,000 ft, 2 nm southwest, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 365 nm along the route, 2 nm southwest 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 at 1,500 ft, 4 nm southeast, 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC): overcast above 1,800 ft. 395 nm along the route, 4 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV MRT/TM 2218/FL015/TP C150/SK OVC018
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over MRT
- Time
- 22:18 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C150
- Sky
- overcast from 1,800 ft
- E145 climbing, 36 nm southwest, 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 415 nm along the route, 36 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CMH UA /OV DAY/TM 2351/FLDURC/TP E145/SK B005 T035
- Report
- a routine report filed through CMH
- Where
- over DAY
- Time
- 23:51 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- B005 T035
- A321 at 21,000 ft, 12 nm south, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): no turbulence. 425 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV ROD/TM 0023/FL210/TP A321/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over ROD
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- none
- E545 at 28,000 ft, 12 nm south, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): no turbulence. 425 nm along the route, 12 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV ROD/TM 2315/FL280/TP E545/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- over ROD
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- at 28,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Turbulence
- none
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 7 forecast points nearest it (ORF, RIC, EKN, CRW, CMH, FWA, JOT). 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 | 260° at 10 kt | +7 kt | 13 °C | 113 kt | 5 h 30 min | 1:35 am CDT (06:35 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 270° at 11 kt | +9 kt | 13 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 36 min | 1:41 am CDT (06:41 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 280° at 9 kt | +8 kt | 10 °C | 112 kt | 5 h 33 min | 1:38 am CDT (06:38 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 280° at 7 kt | +6 kt | 6 °C | 114 kt | 5 h 27 min | 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 280° at 7 kt | +6 kt | 3 °C | 114 kt | 5 h 27 min | 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 280° at 10 kt | +9 kt | -1 °C | 111 kt | 5 h 36 min | 1:41 am CDT (06:41 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 290° at 13 kt | +11 kt | -6 °C | 109 kt | 5 h 42 min | 1:47 am CDT (06:47 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 15 kt | +14 kt | -9 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 52 min | 1:57 am CDT (06:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 23 kt | +18 kt | -20 °C | 102 kt | 6 h 06 min | 2:11 am CDT (07:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 31 kt | +21 kt | -33 °C | 99 kt | 6 h 17 min | 2:22 am CDT (07:22 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 37 kt | +22 kt | -40 °C | 98 kt | 6 h 21 min | 2:26 am CDT (07:26 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 40 kt | +27 kt | -49 °C | 93 kt | 6 h 41 min | 2:46 am CDT (07:46 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORF | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/45 | 210/41 15° | 210/39 13° | 220/37 7° | 230/55 -5° | 230/65 -16° | 220/71 -30° | 220/75 -40° | 220/72 -53° |
| RIC | used from 49 nm out; 9 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° |
| EKN | used from 148 nm out; 39 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 247 nm out; 58 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° |
| CMH | used from 296 nm out; 45 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° |
| FWA | used from 444 nm out; 17 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° |
| JOT | used from 543 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/11 | 290/12 16° | 300/19 10° | 320/19 4° | 300/17 -9° | 330/31 -20° | 320/49 -37° | 320/53 -45° | 320/67 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORF Norfolk, VA | departure | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 26 ft | 8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC) |
| PHF Newport News, VA | 20 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 42 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| RIC Richmond, VA | 69 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 167 ft | 00:59 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 128 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, overcast at 700 feet Weather: heavy rain, mist | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 1.25 mi | 300 ft | 640 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| CKB Clarksburg, WV | 237 nm out, 23 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,400 ft | 1,223 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| PKB Parkersburg, WV | 286 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain | from the northwest (310°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 600 ft | 858 ft | 00:58 UTC |
| CMH Columbus, OH | 365 nm out, 2 nm southwest 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 |
| OSU Columbus, OH | 375 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (320°) at 7 knots | 4 mi | 900 ft | 905 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| FWA Fort Wayne, IN | 484 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 814 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| SBN South Bend, IN | 553 nm out, 17 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 798 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| GYY Gary/Chicago, IN | 592 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 8 mi | none | 596 ft | 00:50 UTC |
| ORD Chicago, IL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 680 ft | 7:51 pm CDT (00:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,223 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ORD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:32 am CDT (06:32 UTC)
Wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for ORD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet
The forecast for ORF, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the north at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 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 ORF 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC), at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:43 pm CDT (23:43 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ORD is before sunrise there (7:00 am CDT (12:00 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: Norfolk International, Chicago O'Hare International.
