Raleigh-Durham International to Syracuse Hancock International RDU → SYR
452 nautical miles (520 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 015°, about 024° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 19 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 75-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:16 pm EDT (02:16 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RDU is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22; SYR is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) 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: 312 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 last 393 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 304 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 216 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 216 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: 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 255 to 422 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 ft. Over the last 69 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 RDU.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E145 at 9,000 ft, 43 nm west, 5:56 pm EDT (21:56 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast up to 9,000 ft, heavy rain. 79 nm along the route, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
LYH UA /OV LYH/TM 2156/FL090/TP E145/SK OVCUNKN-TOP090/WX +RA/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LYH
- Where
- over LYH
- Time
- 21:56 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast, tops 9,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- C25B at 25,000 ft, 44 nm west, 5:47 pm EDT (21:47 UTC): moderate rime icing, 0 °C. 304 nm along the route, 44 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSB UA /OV PSB/TM 2147/FL250/TP C25B/TA 0/IC MOD RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSB
- Where
- over PSB
- Time
- 21:47 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25B
- Temperature
- 0 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime
- CRJ7 at 33,000 ft, 4 nm west, 6:31 pm EDT (22:31 UTC): moderate turbulence. 412 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ITH UA /OV ITH/TM 2231/FL330/TP CRJ7/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ITH
- Where
- over ITH
- Time
- 22:31 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- moderate
- E75L at 31,000 ft, 4 nm west, 6:27 pm EDT (22:27 UTC): moderate turbulence. 412 nm along the route, 4 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ITH UA /OV ITH/TM 2227/FL310/TP E75L/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ITH
- Where
- over ITH
- Time
- 22:27 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- E75 at 34,000 ft, 42 nm east, 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RME UA /OV UCA/TM 2315/FL340/TP E75/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RME
- Where
- over UCA
- Time
- 23:15 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- A21N at 35,000 ft, 42 nm east, 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RME UA /OV UCA/TM 2257/FL350/TP A21N/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through RME
- Where
- over UCA
- Time
- 22:57 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 42 nm east, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): remarks: bases 1,000 ft. 118 nm along the route, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 2155/FL010/TP B737/RM BASES 010
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 21:55 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 1,000 ft
- BE58 at 1,000 ft, 42 nm east, 5:50 pm EDT (21:50 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 118 nm along the route, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 2150/FL010/TP BE58/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 21:50 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
- BE58 at 1,000 ft, 42 nm east, 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 118 nm along the route, 42 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 2150/FL010/TP BE58/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 21:50 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
- E175 at 600 ft, 20 nm west, 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 137 nm along the route, 20 nm west 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
- CL60 descending, 14 nm east, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 177 nm along the route, 14 nm east 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, 14 nm east, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 177 nm along the route, 14 nm east 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
- C17 at 500 ft, 41 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 196 nm along the route, 41 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, 22 nm east, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. 196 nm along the route, 22 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
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 5 forecast points nearest it (RDU, RIC, PSB, AVP, SYR). 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 | 180° at 23 kt | −23 kt | 143 kt | 3 h 10 min | 11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | −19 kt | 13 °C | 139 kt | 3 h 15 min | 11:12 pm EDT (03:12 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | −19 kt | 11 °C | 139 kt | 3 h 15 min | 11:12 pm EDT (03:12 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 20 kt | −18 kt | 8 °C | 138 kt | 3 h 17 min | 11:14 pm EDT (03:14 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 21 kt | −20 kt | 6 °C | 140 kt | 3 h 14 min | 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −22 kt | 1 °C | 142 kt | 3 h 11 min | 11:08 pm EDT (03:08 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −23 kt | -3 °C | 143 kt | 3 h 10 min | 11:07 pm EDT (03:07 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −25 kt | -8 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 07 min | 11:04 pm EDT (03:04 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 31 kt | −25 kt | -9 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 07 min | 11:04 pm EDT (03:04 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 47 kt | −42 kt | -18 °C | 162 kt | 2 h 47 min | 10:44 pm EDT (02:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 77 kt | −69 kt | -31 °C | 189 kt | 2 h 23 min | 10:20 pm EDT (02:20 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 83 kt | −75 kt | -40 °C | 195 kt | 2 h 19 min | 10:16 pm EDT (02:16 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 75 kt | −64 kt | -51 °C | 184 kt | 2 h 27 min | 10:24 pm EDT (02:24 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; 57 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 196 nm out; 91 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° | |
| AVP | used from 344 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 110/36 | 190/34 13° | 230/11 8° | 230/16 4° | 230/26 -8° | 220/40 -19° | 230/73 -33° | 230/98 -41° | 230/87 -51° |
| SYR | used from 393 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 160/17 | 200/22 10° | 250/10 6° | L/V 1° | 270/11 -11° | 220/25 -20° | 220/66 -36° | 230/89 -42° | 240/74 -51° |
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: overcast at 4,800 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | 4,800 ft | 435 ft | 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC) |
| HNZ Oxford, NC | 29 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 526 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 79 nm out, 20 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| HEF Washington, DC | 177 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 12 knots | 3 mi | 500 ft | 192 ft | 23:14 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 196 nm out, 7 nm northeast 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 |
| FDK Frederick, MD | 226 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 308 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| CXY Harrisburg, PA | 275 nm out, 18 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: rain | from the east (080°) at 8 knots | 9 mi | 700 ft | 346 ft | 22:56 UTC |
| IPT Williamsport, PA | 334 nm out, 3 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,700 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 1,700 ft | 528 ft | 22:54 UTC |
| ELM Elmira/Corning, NY | 383 nm out, 17 nm northwest of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 5 mi | 200 ft | 955 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| ITH Ithaca, NY | 412 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 4,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-southeast (120°) at 4 knots | 4 mi | 4,300 ft | 1,099 ft | 22:56 UTC |
| SYR Syracuse, NY | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 6,500 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the east-northeast (060°) at 7 knots | 8 mi | 6,500 ft | 421 ft | 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,099 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SYR when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:16 pm EDT (02:16 UTC)
Wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 2,500 feet marginal VFR
At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet IFR
The whole forecast for SYR
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east at 6 knots, visibility 5 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 3,500 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 2,500 feet
- At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility 6 miles, mist, overcast at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 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 18 nm from the route, 196 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, 206 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at SYR 6:27 pm EDT (22:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:55 pm EDT (22:55 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SYR is after sunset there (6:28 pm EDT (22:28 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, Syracuse Hancock International.