Richmond International to New York Stewart International RIC → SWF
282 nautical miles (325 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 031°, about 041° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 91-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:34 am EDT (06:34 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now RIC is marginal VFR, wind from the west (270°) at 5 knots; SWF is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) 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: 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
- SIGMET E19E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 43,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 2:55 am EDT (06:55 UTC). Over the route from 10 to 224 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120455 MKCE WST 120455 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 19E VALID UNTIL 0655Z CT NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NNW HTO-70SSE HTO-90SE SIE-20WNW LYH-40ESE AIR-20NNW HTO AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL430.
- 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 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the whole 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
- A319 at 23,000 ft, 34 nm southeast, 11:21 pm EDT (03:21 UTC): moderate turbulence. 195 nm along the route, 34 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MJX UA /OV CYN345010/TM 0321/FL230/TP A319/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through MJX
- Where
- 10 nm north (345°) of CYN
- Time
- 03:21 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B712 descending, 26 nm northwest, 11:10 pm EDT (03:10 UTC): remarks: light rain light chop bases 50,000 ft ft. 97 nm along the route, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV RWY 15R/TM 0310/FLDURD/TP B712/RM LIGHT RAIN. LIGHT CHOP. BASES 500 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- runway 15R
- Time
- 03:10 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B712
- Remarks
- light rain light chop bases 50,000 ft ft
- PC12 at 1,000 ft, 36 nm northwest, 10:28 pm EDT (02:28 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. 185 nm along the route, 36 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDG UA /OV 2 SOUTH RDG/TM 0228/FL010/TP PC12/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDG
- Where
- 2 south rdg
- Time
- 02:28 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- A321 at 700 ft, 41 nm southeast, 10:46 pm EDT (02:46 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. 244 nm along the route, 41 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV KJFK225002/TM 0246/FL007/TP A321/SK OVC007
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (225°) of KJFK
- Time
- 02:46 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- E175 descending, 33 nm southeast, 10:19 pm EDT (02:19 UTC): remarks: cloud bases 70,000 ft ils runway 4. 253 nm along the route, 33 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGA UA /OV LGA/TM 0219/FLDURD/TP E175/RM CLOUD BASES 700 ILS RWY 4
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGA
- Where
- over LGA
- Time
- 02:19 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E175
- Remarks
- cloud bases 70,000 ft ils runway 4
- GA6C at 1,100 ft, 29 nm southeast, 10:31 pm EDT (02:31 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34. At the destination end, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UA /OV HPN/TM 0231/FL011/TP GA6C/SK OVC011/RM LLWS +/- 5 KNOTS RWY34
- Report
- a routine report filed through HPN
- Where
- over HPN
- Time
- 02:31 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34
- GA6C descending, 5 nm west, 12:32 am EDT (04:32 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft, remarks: bases OVC010. At the destination end, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
SWF UA /OV SWF 270005/TM 0432/FLDURD/TP GA6C/SK OVC010/RM BASES OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through SWF
- Where
- 5 nm west (270°) of SWF
- Time
- 04:32 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- Remarks
- bases OVC010
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 3 forecast points nearest it (RIC, ACY, JFK). 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 | 250° at 19 kt | −15 kt | 135 kt | 2 h 05 min | 3:19 am EDT (07:19 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 250° at 18 kt | −14 kt | 134 kt | 2 h 06 min | 3:20 am EDT (07:20 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | −19 kt | 11 °C | 139 kt | 2 h 02 min | 3:16 am EDT (07:16 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −25 kt | 8 °C | 145 kt | 1 h 57 min | 3:11 am EDT (07:11 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | −27 kt | 5 °C | 147 kt | 1 h 55 min | 3:09 am EDT (07:09 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −30 kt | 1 °C | 150 kt | 1 h 53 min | 3:07 am EDT (07:07 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −32 kt | -3 °C | 152 kt | 1 h 51 min | 3:05 am EDT (07:05 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 37 kt | −35 kt | -7 °C | 155 kt | 1 h 49 min | 3:03 am EDT (07:03 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 37 kt | −35 kt | -8 °C | 155 kt | 1 h 49 min | 3:03 am EDT (07:03 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 49 kt | −46 kt | -20 °C | 166 kt | 1 h 42 min | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 83 kt | −82 kt | -31 °C | 202 kt | 1 h 24 min | 2:38 am EDT (06:38 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 96 kt | −91 kt | -40 °C | 211 kt | 1 h 20 min | 2:34 am EDT (06:34 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 76 kt | −72 kt | -50 °C | 192 kt | 1 h 28 min | 2:42 am EDT (06:42 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; 24 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 97 nm out; 66 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° |
| JFK | used from 195 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 250/18 | 250/23 14° | 240/33 9° | 240/33 4° | 240/38 -10° | 240/45 -21° | 230/86 -32° | 230/102 -40° | 230/84 -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: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet | from the west (270°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,500 ft | 167 ft | 1:09 am EDT (05:09 UTC) |
| XSA Tappahannock, VA | 29 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | reported, no category | calm | 900 ft | 135 ft | 05:15 UTC | |
| VKX Friendly, MD | 68 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 117 ft | ||||
| ESN Easton, MD | 97 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 72 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 156 nm out, 3 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 13 knots, gusting to 19 | 9 mi | 700 ft | 79 ft | 04:51 UTC |
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | 175 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22 | 3 mi | 600 ft | 35 ft | 04:54 UTC |
| TTN Trenton, NJ | 205 nm out, 13 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet | from the north (010°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 212 ft | 04:53 UTC |
| MMU Morristown, NJ | 244 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 186 ft | 04:55 UTC |
| SWF New York, NY | destination | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 7 knots | 6 mi | 1,200 ft | 490 ft | 12:45 am EDT (04:45 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 SWF when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:34 am EDT (06:34 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 7 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, a few clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 700 feet and more above IFR
The whole forecast for SWF
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 7 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, a few clouds at 400 feet, a broken layer at 700 feet and more above
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 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 17 nm from the route, 78 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8719 Greenwood, DE, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Saturday, October 17, 2026 UTC 22 nm from the route, 107 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
- 6/8886 Greenwood, DE, Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 22 nm from the route, 107 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Sunday 18 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at RIC 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC), at SWF 6:20 pm EDT (22:20 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:48 pm EDT (22:48 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SWF 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, New York Stewart International.