Richmond International to Buffalo Niagara International RIC → BUF
333 nautical miles (383 statute miles) north on a straight line, true course 349°, about 359° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 22-knot headwind), arriving about 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC). Right now RIC is VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25; BUF is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 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: 3 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 24,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 39 to 166 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 88 to 157 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 157 to 294 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, mist). Over the last 147 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
- C68A at 43,000 ft, 39 nm east, 11:16 am EDT (15:16 UTC): -57 °C, wind 320° at 55 knots, remarks: produced by skypath. At the departure end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
JGG UA /OV HCM119010 /TM 1516 /FL430 /TP C68A /TA M57 /WV 32055KT /RM PRODUCED BY SKYPATH
- Report
- a routine report filed through JGG
- Where
- 10 nm southeast (119°) of HCM
- Time
- 15:16 UTC
- Height
- at 43,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Temperature
- −57 °C
- Wind
- from 320° at 55 knots
- Remarks
- produced by skypath
- C56X at 1,100 ft, 45 nm southeast, 8:48 am EDT (12:48 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: OVC011 during the descent runway 25 KPHF. At the departure end, 45 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHF UA /OV KPHF/TM 1248/FL011/TP C56X/SK OVC011/RM OVC011 DURD RWY25 KPHF
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHF
- Where
- over KPHF
- Time
- 12:48 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- C56X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- OVC011 during the descent runway 25 KPHF
- A320 at 34,000 ft, 33 nm west, 11:19 am EDT (15:19 UTC): light to moderate turbulence. 39 nm along the route, 33 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
LYH UA /OV GVE/TM 1519/FL340/TP A320/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LYH
- Where
- over GVE
- Time
- 15:19 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate
- E75S at 2,400 ft, 28 nm east, 9:47 am EDT (13:47 UTC): overcast above 2,400 ft. 78 nm along the route, 28 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA19004/TM 1347/FL024/TP E75S/SK OVC024
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- DCA19004
- Time
- 13:47 UTC
- Height
- at 2,400 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Sky
- overcast from 2,400 ft
- B737 at 1,000 ft, 28 nm east, 8:40 am EDT (12:40 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: no bases reported on final approach runway 1. 78 nm along the route, 28 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA190003/TM 1240/FL010/TP B737/TB LGT CHOP/RM NO BASES REPORTED ON FINAL APPROACH RWY1
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 3 nm south (190°) of DCA
- Time
- 12:40 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- no bases reported on final approach runway 1
- B737 climbing, 19 nm northeast, 10:50 am EDT (14:50 UTC): a broken layer above 2,100 ft, remarks: base 2,100 ft tops 3,000 ft. 88 nm along the route, 19 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL270030/TM 1450/FLDURC/TP B737/SK BKN021/RM BASE 021 TOPS 030
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BAL
- Time
- 14:50 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,100 ft
- Remarks
- base 2,100 ft tops 3,000 ft
- E145 at 4,000 ft, 18 nm northeast, 10:03 am EDT (14:03 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: above tops. 88 nm along the route, 18 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML050010/TM 1403/FL040/TP E145/TB NEG/RM ABV TOPS
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (050°) of AML
- Time
- 14:03 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- none
- Remarks
- above tops
- B38M at 2,600 ft, 46 nm east, 9:05 am EDT (13:05 UTC): a broken layer above 2,400 ft, remarks: TOP026. 88 nm along the route, 46 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL270003/TM 1305/FL026/TP B38M/SK BKN024/RM TOP026
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 3 nm west (270°) of BAL
- Time
- 13:05 UTC
- Height
- at 2,600 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,400 ft
- Remarks
- TOP026
- B737 descending, 49 nm east, 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): remarks: bases reported 2000 feet on final runway 33L. 98 nm along the route, 49 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV FINAL/TM 1500/FLDURD/TP B737/RM BASES REPORTED 2000 FEET ON FINAL RWY 33L
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- final
- Time
- 15:00 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases reported 2000 feet on final runway 33L
- RV12 at 2,900 ft, 21 nm east, 11:25 am EDT (15:25 UTC): a broken layer above 2,900 ft. 117 nm along the route, 21 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
FDK UA /OV 3 NE FDK/TM 1525/FL029/TP RV12/SK BKN029
- Report
- a routine report filed through FDK
- Where
- 3 northeast fdk
- Time
- 15:25 UTC
- Height
- at 2,900 ft
- Aircraft
- RV12
- Sky
- a broken layer from 2,900 ft
- C170 at 1,500 ft, 19 nm east, 9:55 am EDT (13:55 UTC): overcast above 2,300 ft. 117 nm along the route, 19 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
FDK UA /OV FDK/TM 1355/FL015/TP C170/SK OVC023
- Report
- a routine report filed through FDK
- Where
- over FDK
- Time
- 13:55 UTC
- Height
- at 1,500 ft
- Aircraft
- C170
- Sky
- overcast from 2,300 ft
- UAL1651 at 30,000 ft, 43 nm west, 11:14 am EDT (15:14 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 261° at 39 knots. 137 nm along the route, 43 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1651 3935N 07847W 1514 F300 261/039KT TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- PA46 at 6,000 ft, 43 nm east, 11:15 am EDT (15:15 UTC): no turbulence, overcast above 4,000 ft. 166 nm along the route, 43 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV HAR/TM 1515/FL060/TP PA46/SK OVC040/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over HAR
- Time
- 15:15 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Turbulence
- smooth
- E75S at 30,000 ft, 39 nm west, 9:19 am EDT (13:19 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zob. 166 nm along the route, 39 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
LBE UA /OV IHD080025/TM 1319/FL300/TP E75S/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZOB
- Report
- a routine report filed through LBE
- Where
- 25 nm east (080°) of IHD
- Time
- 13:19 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- zob
13 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 14:00–21:00 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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, PSB, BUF). 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 23 kt | +22 kt | 14 °C | 98 kt | 3 h 24 min | 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 330° at 24 kt | +23 kt | 13 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 26 min | 3:02 pm EDT (19:02 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 330° at 24 kt | +23 kt | 10 °C | 97 kt | 3 h 26 min | 3:02 pm EDT (19:02 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 340° at 25 kt | +24 kt | 6 °C | 96 kt | 3 h 28 min | 3:04 pm EDT (19:04 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 340° at 26 kt | +25 kt | 2 °C | 95 kt | 3 h 30 min | 3:06 pm EDT (19:06 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 330° at 27 kt | +25 kt | -2 °C | 95 kt | 3 h 30 min | 3:06 pm EDT (19:06 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 330° at 28 kt | +26 kt | -5 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 33 min | 3:09 pm EDT (19:09 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 29 kt | +26 kt | -8 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 33 min | 3:09 pm EDT (19:09 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 32 kt | +26 kt | -20 °C | 94 kt | 3 h 33 min | 3:09 pm EDT (19:09 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 40 kt | +35 kt | -35 °C | 85 kt | 3 h 55 min | 3:31 pm EDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 310° at 49 kt | +40 kt | -45 °C | 80 kt | 4 h 10 min | 3:46 pm EDT (19:46 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 51 kt | +39 kt | -50 °C | 81 kt | 4 h 07 min | 3:43 pm EDT (19:43 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 12:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 18:00 UTC for use 14:00 to 21:00 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; 24 nm from the line | 350/24 | 350/28 14° | 340/25 8° | 340/26 5° | 340/40 -6° | 340/44 -19° | 340/48 -33° | 330/45 -42° | 310/38 -50° |
| PSB | used from 98 nm out; 84 nm from the line | 330/23 14° | 340/24 9° | 340/25 3° | 320/24 -8° | 300/29 -20° | 310/39 -36° | 310/52 -46° | 310/56 -50° | |
| BUF | used from 294 nm out; 20 nm from the line | 270/25 | 300/28 14° | 300/29 8° | 310/29 2° | 300/30 -9° | 290/33 -21° | 290/44 -37° | 290/56 -47° | 300/62 -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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet | from the north (350°) at 17 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | 4,500 ft | 167 ft | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) |
| XSA Tappahannock, VA | 20 nm out, 24 nm east of the line | reported, no category | calm | 2,500 ft | 135 ft | 15:35 UTC | |
| HEF Washington, DC | 78 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet | from the north (350°) at 16 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 2,900 ft | 192 ft | 14:56 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 98 nm out, 7 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,500 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 14 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 389 ft | 15:15 UTC |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 137 nm out, 7 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,200 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 14 knots | 10+ mi | none | 703 ft | 15:05 UTC |
| UNV State College, PA | 205 nm out, 14 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,400 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 1,231 ft | 14:53 UTC |
| OYM St Marys, PA | 245 nm out, 9 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 1,934 ft | ||||
| OLE Olean, NY | 284 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the west (270°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 2,135 ft | 15:15 UTC |
| BUF Buffalo, NY | destination | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,100 ft | 726 ft | 10:54 am EDT (14:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,135 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BUF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:00 pm EDT (19:00 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for BUF
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 20,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 20,000 feet
- From Tue 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet
- 30% chance between Tue 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for RIC, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the north at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 15 nm from the route, 78 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 88 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at BUF 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:06 pm EDT (23:06 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, Buffalo Niagara International.