Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) to Washington Dulles International ROA → IAD
154 nautical miles (177 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 050°, about 058° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8W). At 120 knots that is 1 h 12 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:30 am EDT (13:30 UTC). Right now ROA is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots, gusting to 21; IAD is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18. 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: 2,044 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: 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 first 58 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the first 0 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 134 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 19 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 ROA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E75L descending, 5 nm west, 7:09 am EDT (11:09 UTC): a broken layer above 3,700 ft. At the departure end, 5 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ROA UA /OV ROA/TM 1109/FLDURD/TP E75L/SK BKN037 050
- Report
- a routine report filed through ROA
- Where
- over ROA
- Time
- 11:09 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- BKN037 at 5,000 ft
- UAL1428 at 32,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 7:36 am EDT (11:36 UTC): no turbulence, -39 °C, wind 360° at 59 knots. At the destination end, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1428 3923N 07750W 1136 F320 MS39 360/059KT TB NONE SK CLEAR IC NONE
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- E170 at 1,000 ft, 20 nm east, 7:32 am EDT (11:32 UTC): a broken layer above 1,200 ft. At the destination end, 20 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 1132/FL010/TP E170/SK BKN012
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- over DCA
- Time
- 11:32 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,200 ft
- B39M at 1,200 ft, 39 nm east, 7:10 am EDT (11:10 UTC): remarks: base 1200FT tops 2000FT. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 1110/FL012/TP B39M/RM BASE 1200FT TOPS 2000FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 11:10 UTC
- Height
- at 1,200 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Remarks
- base 1200FT tops 2000FT
- B39M descending, 0 nm northeast, 6:42 am EDT (10:42 UTC): overcast above 4,000 ft. At the destination end, 0 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 1042/FLDURD/TP B39M/SK OVC 040/WX 10 SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 10:42 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- overcast from 4,000 ft
- Weather
- 10, miles
- B737 at 700 ft, 39 nm east, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. At the destination end, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 09:33 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- light rain
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 (ROA, EKN, RIC). 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 | 330° at 31 kt | +7 kt | 113 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 340° at 27 kt | +7 kt | 10 °C | 113 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 340° at 28 kt | +10 kt | 10 °C | 110 kt | 1 h 24 min | 9:42 am EDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 340° at 30 kt | +12 kt | 7 °C | 108 kt | 1 h 26 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 29 kt | +9 kt | 4 °C | 111 kt | 1 h 23 min | 9:41 am EDT (13:41 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 330° at 31 kt | +8 kt | 0 °C | 112 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 34 kt | +7 kt | -4 °C | 113 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 37 kt | +7 kt | -7 °C | 113 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 38 kt | +7 kt | -8 °C | 113 kt | 1 h 22 min | 9:40 am EDT (13:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 44 kt | +13 kt | -21 °C | 107 kt | 1 h 26 min | 9:44 am EDT (13:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 49 kt | +15 kt | -34 °C | 105 kt | 1 h 28 min | 9:46 am EDT (13:46 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 51 kt | +10 kt | -39 °C | 110 kt | 1 h 24 min | 9:42 am EDT (13:42 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 41 kt | −8 kt | -48 °C | 128 kt | 1 h 12 min | 9:30 am EDT (13:30 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| EKN | used from 48 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 330/20 10° | 350/29 7° | 340/32 2° | 340/44 -8° | 350/50 -21° | 350/63 -35° | 340/69 -40° | 330/42 -50° | |
| RIC | used from 96 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROA Roanoke, VA | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,400 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 11 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 3,400 ft | 1,175 ft | 7:54 am EDT (11:54 UTC) |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 29 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,100 feet | variable at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 938 ft | 11:54 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 86 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 640 ft | 11:53 UTC |
| CJR Culpeper, VA | 125 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,200 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,200 ft | 315 ft | 12:15 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,300 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 3,300 ft | 312 ft | 7:52 am EDT (11:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,175 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IAD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:30 am EDT (13:30 UTC)
Wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for IAD
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility 6 miles, mist, scattered clouds at 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Tue 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for ROA, the departure
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,600 feet
- At times between Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC) and 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): a broken layer at 2,600 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 14 knots, gusting to 28, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at ROA 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC), at IAD 6:36 pm EDT (22:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 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: Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field), Washington Dulles International.