Philadelphia International to Blue Grass Airport PHL → LEX
451 nautical miles (519 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 259°, about 271° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 4-knot headwind), arriving about 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC). Right now PHL is marginal VFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots; LEX is low IFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 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: 772 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, fog). Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 49 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 88 to 167 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 118 to 333 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 PHL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C560 at 13,000 ft, 15 nm northwest, 2:38 am EDT (06:38 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast above 19,000 ft, heavy rain, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 15 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 20 NW PHL/TM 0638/FL130 /TP C560/SK OVC190/WX +RA/TB MOD/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 20 northwest phl
- Time
- 06:38 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C560
- Sky
- overcast from 19,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- during the descent
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (ACY, PSB, EKN, CRW, CVG, LOU). 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 | 330° at 16 kt | +4 kt | 12 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 53 min | 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 18 kt | +4 kt | 12 °C | 116 kt | 3 h 53 min | 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 19 kt | +5 kt | 9 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 55 min | 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 17 kt | +5 kt | 5 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 55 min | 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 15 kt | +5 kt | 2 °C | 115 kt | 3 h 55 min | 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | +6 kt | -2 °C | 114 kt | 3 h 57 min | 7:58 am EDT (11:58 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | +7 kt | -6 °C | 113 kt | 3 h 59 min | 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 21 kt | +9 kt | -9 °C | 111 kt | 4 h 04 min | 8:05 am EDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 26 kt | +15 kt | -21 °C | 105 kt | 4 h 18 min | 8:19 am EDT (12:19 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 31 kt | +20 kt | -35 °C | 100 kt | 4 h 31 min | 8:32 am EDT (12:32 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 38 kt | +31 kt | -40 °C | 89 kt | 5 h 04 min | 9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 36 kt | +31 kt | -48 °C | 89 kt | 5 h 04 min | 9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACY | used from 0 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/19 | 220/18 14° | 210/36 9° | 210/35 5° | 220/36 -8° | 240/49 -21° | 220/90 -31° | 230/103 -40° | 230/81 -50° |
| PSB | used from 49 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| EKN | used from 147 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| CRW | used from 245 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| CVG | used from 392 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| LOU | used from 441 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 600 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots | 5 mi | 1,300 ft | 35 ft | 3:17 am EDT (07:17 UTC) |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 20 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots | 3 mi | 1,200 ft | 79 ft | 07:16 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 59 nm out, 21 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 3,200 feet Weather: heavy rain | from the north (360°) at 3 knots | 3 mi | 700 ft | 22 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| MRB Martinsburg, WV | 127 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,300 feet, a broken layer at 3,800 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northwest (330°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 564 ft | 07:09 UTC |
| OKV Winchester, VA | 137 nm out, 15 nm south of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 726 ft | 07:15 UTC |
| EKN Elkins, WV | 225 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 2,100 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 1,987 ft | 06:51 UTC |
| CKB Clarksburg, WV | 235 nm out, 17 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 1,223 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CRW Charleston, WV | 304 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 4 mi | 600 ft | 947 ft | 07:07 UTC |
| HTS Huntington, WV | 353 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 828 ft | 06:51 UTC |
| SYM Morehead, KY | 402 nm out, 4 nm south of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light rain | variable at 5 knots | 1.5 mi | 300 ft | 1,028 ft | 23:22 UTC |
| IOB Mount Sterling, KY | 421 nm out, 7 nm south of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,019 ft | 01:15 UTC |
| LEX Lexington, KY | destination | low IFR Sky: sky obscured at 100 feet Weather: fog | from the south-southwest (210°) at 3 knots | 0.25 mi | 100 ft | 979 ft | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 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 LEX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC)
Wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility ½ mile, fog, clear skies low IFR
At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ¼ mile, fog, overcast at 100 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for LEX
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 4 knots, visibility ½ mile, fog, clear skies
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ¼ mile, fog, overcast at 100 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for PHL, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, thunderstorms nearby, overcast at 700 feet (thunderheads)
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, gusting to 15, visibility 6 miles, mist, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 15, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 69 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 13 nm from the route, 98 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 23 nm from the route, 108 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at PHL 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC), at LEX 7:05 pm EDT (23:05 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:31 pm EDT (23:31 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: Philadelphia International, Blue Grass Airport.