Richmond International to Albany International RIC → ALB
354 nautical miles (407 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 026°, about 036° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 73-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:58 am EDT (04:58 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots; ALB is low IFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 4 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: 1 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 TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 314 nm of the route.
- 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 305 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 13,000 ft. Over the last 226 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 79 nm of the route.
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 25,000 ft. Over the last 39 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 RIC.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 30 nm east, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): moderate turbulence above 17,000 ft, -9 °C. 128 nm along the route, 30 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DOV UA /OV ENO/TM 0018/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M09/TB MOD 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through DOV
- Where
- over ENO
- Time
- 00:18 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate at 17,000 ft
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 27 nm northwest, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. 157 nm along the route, 27 nm northwest 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
- E75L at 20,000 ft, 14 nm southeast, 8:41 pm EDT (00:41 UTC): moderate turbulence above 20,000 ft. 157 nm along the route, 14 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV DQO/TM 0041/FL200/TP E75L/TB MOD 200
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over DQO
- Time
- 00:41 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 20,000 ft
- A21N at 18,000 ft, 4 nm south, 8:38 pm EDT (00:38 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence. 187 nm along the route, 4 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTW UA /OV PTW/TM 0038/FL180/TP A21N/TB MOD CAT
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTW
- Where
- over PTW
- Time
- 00:38 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence
- B38M at 6,000 ft, 44 nm southeast, 8:47 pm EDT (00:47 UTC): moderate turbulence. 236 nm along the route, 44 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EWR UA /OV 2 NW OF EWR/TM 0047/FL60/TP B38M/TB MODERATE
- Report
- a routine report filed through EWR
- Where
- 2 northwest of ewr
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- CRJ7 at 20,000 ft, 37 nm northeast, 8:50 pm EDT (00:50 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 37 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALB UA /OV CAM360020/TM 0050/FL200/TP CRJ7/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALB
- Where
- 20 nm north (360°) of CAM
- Time
- 00:50 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B38M at 400 ft, 24 nm northwest, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft. 79 nm along the route, 24 nm northwest 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, 49 nm west, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. 79 nm along the route, 49 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, 24 nm northwest, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 24 nm northwest 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
- A320 at 2,000 ft, 13 nm northwest, 9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. 98 nm along the route, 13 nm northwest 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, 19 nm northwest, 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. 98 nm along the route, 19 nm northwest 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
- A21N at 600 ft, 17 nm west, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. 108 nm along the route, 17 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- CL30 at 500 ft, 14 nm southeast, 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC): remarks: during the descent runway 09 approach lights in sight at 550FT. 157 nm along the route, 14 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV KILG/TM 0155/FL005/TP CL30/RM DURD RWY09 APPROACH LIGHTS IN SIGHT AT 550FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over KILG
- Time
- 01:55 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL30
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 09 approach lights in sight at 550FT
- B738 at 400 ft, 14 nm southeast, 9:35 pm EDT (01:35 UTC): remarks: landing the RNAV approach to runway 01 saw the approach lights at 600FT, runway at 400FT. 157 nm along the route, 14 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV KILG/TM 0135/FL004/TP B738/RM LANDING RNAV01 SAW THE APPROACH LIGHTS AT 600FT, RWY AT 400FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over KILG
- Time
- 01:35 UTC
- Height
- at 400 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- landing the RNAV approach to runway 01 saw the approach lights at 600FT, runway at 400FT
13 more routine reports are on the map.
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 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 4 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ACY, AVP, ALB). 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 | 240° at 10 kt | −8 kt | 128 kt | 2 h 46 min | 1:54 am EDT (05:54 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 270° at 10 kt | −5 kt | 125 kt | 2 h 50 min | 1:58 am EDT (05:58 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 250° at 14 kt | −9 kt | 10 °C | 129 kt | 2 h 45 min | 1:53 am EDT (05:53 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 240° at 18 kt | −15 kt | 7 °C | 135 kt | 2 h 37 min | 1:45 am EDT (05:45 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | −18 kt | 5 °C | 138 kt | 2 h 34 min | 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −21 kt | 1 °C | 141 kt | 2 h 31 min | 1:39 am EDT (05:39 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | −24 kt | -4 °C | 144 kt | 2 h 28 min | 1:36 am EDT (05:36 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 240° at 31 kt | −27 kt | -8 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 24 min | 1:32 am EDT (05:32 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 32 kt | −27 kt | -9 °C | 147 kt | 2 h 24 min | 1:32 am EDT (05:32 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 44 kt | −39 kt | -21 °C | 159 kt | 2 h 14 min | 1:22 am EDT (05:22 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 69 kt | −65 kt | -32 °C | 185 kt | 1 h 55 min | 1:03 am EDT (05:03 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 80 kt | −73 kt | -40 °C | 193 kt | 1 h 50 min | 12:58 am EDT (04:58 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 66 kt | −59 kt | -50 °C | 179 kt | 1 h 59 min | 1:07 am EDT (05:07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
| ACY | used from 98 nm out; 74 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° |
| AVP | used from 197 nm out; 41 nm from the line | 150/5 | 350/13 12° | 270/20 8° | 260/17 4° | 260/25 -11° | 240/31 -22° | 240/54 -35° | 230/61 -41° | 240/55 -49° |
| ALB | used from 295 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 120/9 | 270/8 10° | L/V 5° | 260/9 1° | 260/34 -10° | 250/42 -22° | 240/57 -35° | 240/70 -42° | 240/65 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC Richmond, VA | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 30,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 30,000 ft | 167 ft | 10:54 pm EDT (02:54 UTC) |
| XSA Tappahannock, VA | 29 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | none | 135 ft | 02:55 UTC | |
| DCA Washington, DC | 79 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 14 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 118 nm out, 10 nm west of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 22 ft | 02:55 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 157 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 3 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| ABE Allentown, PA | 206 nm out, 7 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,700 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,700 ft | 393 ft | 03:00 UTC |
| FWN Sussex, NJ | 255 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots | 4 mi | 900 ft | 421 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| SWF New York, NY | 285 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 10 knots, gusting to 14 | 3 mi | 1,500 ft | 490 ft | 23:45 UTC |
| ALB Albany, NY | destination | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 4 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 284 ft | 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 490 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ALB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:58 am EDT (04:58 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet marginal VFR
At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet low IFR
The whole forecast for ALB
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet
- At times between Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC) and 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 1½ miles, light drizzle, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, 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 11 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 17 nm from the route, 108 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 ALB 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ALB is before sunrise there (7:04 am EDT (11:04 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, Albany International.