Raleigh-Durham International to Harrisburg International RDU → MDT
276 nautical miles (318 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 020°, about 029° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 76-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots; MDT is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 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 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 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 30 to 197 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E VALID UNTIL 0255Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET 2E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the last 39 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120055 MKCE WST 120055 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2E VALID UNTIL 0255Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD AND NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 30NE SAX-30SSW HTO-30ESE EMI-50WSW HAR-30NE SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- 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 197 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 118 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 RDU.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 22 nm east, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 22 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LRP/TM 0043/FL120/TP E145/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 00:43 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 33 nm southeast, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 118 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast 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, 31 nm west, 8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 138 nm along the route, 31 nm west 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
- CL60 descending, 3 nm north, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 178 nm along the route, 3 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 1 nm south (160°) of HEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CL60 at 500 ft, 3 nm north, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 178 nm along the route, 3 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through HEF
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- B38M at 400 ft, 17 nm east, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft. 197 nm along the route, 17 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 0115/FL004/TP B38M/SK OVC004
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- over DCA
- Time
- 01:15 UTC
- Height
- at 400 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- overcast from 400 ft
- FA8X climbing, 9 nm west, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. 197 nm along the route, 9 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- FA8X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- A320 descending, 17 nm east, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 197 nm along the route, 17 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 0027/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 00:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft ft
- A319 descending, 17 nm east, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 197 nm along the route, 17 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 DEPARTURE/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP A319/SK BASES 500 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 departure
- Time
- 00:02 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- bases 50,000 ft ft
- C17 at 500 ft, 25 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 197 nm along the route, 25 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV RWY 1L ARR/TM 2342/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- runway 1L arrival
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- C17
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 7 nm east, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. 197 nm along the route, 7 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA320012/TM 2317/FL070/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 005 OVC TOPS 072
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 12 nm northwest (320°) of DCA
- Time
- 23:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 500 ft overcast tops 7,200 ft
- B39M at 2,000 ft, 9 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. 197 nm along the route, 9 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML320005/TM 2303/FL020/TP B39M/SK BASES OVC 007
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (320°) of AML
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- bases overcast at 700 ft
- A320 at 2,000 ft, 29 nm east, 9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. 217 nm along the route, 29 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 0146/FL020/TP A320/SK BKN003-TOP045/RM CONLE5 SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of BAL
- Time
- 01:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 300 ft, tops 4,500 ft
- Remarks
- CONLE5 sid
- B738 at 2,000 ft, 24 nm east, 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. 217 nm along the route, 24 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL260003/TM 0143/FL20/TP B738/SK BKN004-TOP072/RM TERPZ8 SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 3 nm west (260°) of BAL
- Time
- 01:43 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 400 ft, tops 7,200 ft
- Remarks
- TERPZ8 sid
7 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RDU, RIC, PSB). 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 | 200° at 29 kt | −29 kt | 149 kt | 1 h 51 min | 11:43 pm EDT (03:43 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −20 kt | 13 °C | 140 kt | 1 h 58 min | 11:50 pm EDT (03:50 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −22 kt | 12 °C | 142 kt | 1 h 57 min | 11:49 pm EDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −25 kt | 10 °C | 145 kt | 1 h 54 min | 11:46 pm EDT (03:46 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 29 kt | −28 kt | 7 °C | 148 kt | 1 h 52 min | 11:44 pm EDT (03:44 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 32 kt | −30 kt | 2 °C | 150 kt | 1 h 50 min | 11:42 pm EDT (03:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 35 kt | −32 kt | -2 °C | 152 kt | 1 h 49 min | 11:41 pm EDT (03:41 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 38 kt | −33 kt | -7 °C | 153 kt | 1 h 48 min | 11:40 pm EDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 38 kt | −33 kt | -8 °C | 153 kt | 1 h 48 min | 11:40 pm EDT (03:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 57 kt | −52 kt | -17 °C | 172 kt | 1 h 36 min | 11:28 pm EDT (03:28 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 81 kt | −76 kt | -30 °C | 196 kt | 1 h 24 min | 11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 82 kt | −78 kt | -40 °C | 198 kt | 1 h 24 min | 11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 75 kt | −70 kt | -51 °C | 190 kt | 1 h 27 min | 11:19 pm EDT (03:19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDU | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 240/28 | 250/22 10° | 230/30 11° | 230/40 7° | 230/45 -4° | 220/69 -15° | 220/83 -29° | 210/84 -40° | 220/75 -52° |
| RIC | used from 49 nm out; 53 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° |
| PSB | used from 197 nm out; 101 nm from the line | 260/13 13° | 220/12 8° | 220/11 4° | 230/27 -11° | 210/31 -21° | 220/73 -32° | 220/75 -40° | 230/66 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 435 ft | 8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC) |
| HNZ Oxford, NC | 30 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 10 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 526 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 79 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| LKU Louisa, VA | 138 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet | from the north (010°) at 5 knots | 7 mi | 400 ft | 493 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| HEF Washington, DC | 178 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 3 mi | 500 ft | 192 ft | 00:56 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | 197 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 8 mi | 600 ft | 312 ft | 00:52 UTC |
| DMW Westminster, MD | 237 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 300 ft | 789 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (020°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 310 ft | 9:28 pm EDT (01:28 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 789 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MDT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:16 pm EDT (03:16 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for MDT
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, thunderstorms nearby, scattered clouds at 800 feet (thunderheads), overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for RDU, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 3 nm from the route, 197 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 207 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 25 nm from the route, 227 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at MDT 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:59 pm EDT (22:59 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MDT 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
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: Raleigh-Durham International, Harrisburg International.