Richmond International to Lehigh Valley International RIC → ABE
208 nautical miles (240 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 024°, about 034° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 79-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:23 pm EDT (01:23 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots; ABE is marginal VFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) at 13 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: 4 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 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the first 10 nm of the route.
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 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the last 89 nm of the route.
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 whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 89 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 last 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Near the route, 198 nm along 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 RIC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B38M at 25,000 ft, 38 nm east, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. 179 nm along the route, 38 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
TEB UA /OV 3958N 07457W/TM 2225/FL250/TP B38M/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TEB
- Where
- 3958N 07457W
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 0 nm south, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 0 nm south, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): remarks: bases 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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, 0 nm south, 5:50 pm EDT (21:50 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm south 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
- CL60 descending, 38 nm northwest, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 60 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest 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, 38 nm northwest, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 60 nm along the route, 38 nm northwest 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
- A319 descending, 21 nm northwest, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest 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, 13 nm northwest, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 79 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest 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, 33 nm northwest, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. 79 nm along the route, 33 nm northwest 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, 46 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. 79 nm along the route, 46 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
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 13 nm northwest, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. 79 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
KADW UA /OV 1L DEP/TM 2247/FL010/TP B737/SK OVC005
- Report
- a routine report filed through KADW
- Where
- 1L departure
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- A319 descending, 42 nm west, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 700 ft, light rain. 79 nm along the route, 42 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 2225/FLDURD/TP A319/SK OVC 007/WX 4SM W/ -RA
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Weather
- 4SM, west, light rain
- BE58 at 3,000 ft, 45 nm west, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 45 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300003/TM 2222/FL030/TP BE58/SK BASES009 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 3 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- BASES009 overcast
- A319 descending, 21 nm northwest, 5:28 pm EDT (21:28 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 2128/FLDURD/TP A319/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 21:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ACY, AVP). 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 22 kt | −22 kt | 142 kt | 1 h 28 min | 9:48 pm EDT (01:48 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 24 kt | −24 kt | 144 kt | 1 h 27 min | 9:47 pm EDT (01:47 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 13 °C | 147 kt | 1 h 25 min | 9:45 pm EDT (01:45 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −29 kt | 10 °C | 149 kt | 1 h 24 min | 9:44 pm EDT (01:44 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 31 kt | −30 kt | 7 °C | 150 kt | 1 h 23 min | 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −32 kt | 3 °C | 152 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:42 pm EDT (01:42 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | −34 kt | -2 °C | 154 kt | 1 h 21 min | 9:41 pm EDT (01:41 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | −36 kt | -6 °C | 156 kt | 1 h 20 min | 9:40 pm EDT (01:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 40 kt | −36 kt | -7 °C | 156 kt | 1 h 20 min | 9:40 pm EDT (01:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 59 kt | −53 kt | -17 °C | 173 kt | 1 h 12 min | 9:32 pm EDT (01:32 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 77 kt | −72 kt | -30 °C | 192 kt | 1 h 05 min | 9:25 pm EDT (01:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 84 kt | −79 kt | -41 °C | 199 kt | 1 h 03 min | 9:23 pm EDT (01:23 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 83 kt | −78 kt | -52 °C | 198 kt | 1 h 03 min | 9:23 pm EDT (01:23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 25 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° |
| ACY | used from 99 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 230/15 | 230/22 15° | 230/31 11° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 230/51 -17° | 230/71 -31° | 230/81 -41° | 230/86 -53° |
| AVP | used from 198 nm out; 47 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC Richmond, VA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 167 ft | 8:01 pm EDT (00:01 UTC) |
| XSA Tappahannock, VA | 30 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 500 ft | 135 ft | 23:35 UTC | |
| DCA Washington, DC | 79 nm out, 21 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 14 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 119 nm out, 7 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | calm | 7 mi | 500 ft | 22 ft | 23:44 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 149 nm out, 19 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: rain | from the north-northeast (030°) at 14 knots | 4 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| RDG Reading, PA | 179 nm out, 15 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet, overcast at 9,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the east (080°) at 7 knots, gusting to 17 | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 343 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| ABE Allentown, PA | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet | from the east-northeast (070°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 393 ft | 7:51 pm EDT (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 393 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ABE when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:23 pm EDT (01:23 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet IFR
At times between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, rain, mist IFR
The whole forecast for ABE
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- At times between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, rain, mist
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, thunderstorms with rain, overcast at 600 feet (thunderheads)
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 600 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 1,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, 79 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 13 nm from the route, 109 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at ABE 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ABE 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: Richmond International, Lehigh Valley International.