MC Ghee Tyson Airport to Philadelphia International TYS → PHL
481 nautical miles (554 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 057°, about 063° magnetic at the departure end (variation 6W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 03 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 38-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now TYS is marginal VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots; PHL is IFR, wind from the east-northeast (070°) 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: 1,998 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 7E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 33,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the route from 167 to 383 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 7E VALID UNTIL 0355Z PA MD VA DC WV OH FROM 10NNE JST-30WNW SBY-40ENE RIC-50SW BKW-20SE APE-10NNE JST AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL330.
- SIGMET 6E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm EDT (03:55 UTC). Over the last 69 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120155 MKCE WST 120155 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 6E VALID UNTIL 0355Z NY NJ PA DE MD AND DE NJ NY MD CSTL WTRS FROM 20WNW SAX-70S HTO-50ESE SBY-30WSW HAR-20WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22020KT. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 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 432 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Over the route from 128 to 187 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 304 to 452 nm out.
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 TYS.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
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 6 forecast points nearest it (TYS, TRI, ROA, EKN, RIC, ACY). 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 | 290° at 18 kt | −12 kt | 132 kt | 3 h 39 min | 2:18 am EDT (06:18 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −4 kt | 12 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 53 min | 2:32 am EDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −4 kt | 10 °C | 124 kt | 3 h 53 min | 2:32 am EDT (06:32 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 310° at 18 kt | −5 kt | 7 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 51 min | 2:30 am EDT (06:30 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 310° at 17 kt | −5 kt | 4 °C | 125 kt | 3 h 51 min | 2:30 am EDT (06:30 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | −7 kt | 0 °C | 127 kt | 3 h 47 min | 2:26 am EDT (06:26 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 300° at 20 kt | −9 kt | -3 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 44 min | 2:23 am EDT (06:23 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 300° at 22 kt | −11 kt | -7 °C | 131 kt | 3 h 40 min | 2:19 am EDT (06:19 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 300° at 23 kt | −12 kt | -8 °C | 132 kt | 3 h 39 min | 2:18 am EDT (06:18 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 280° at 28 kt | −20 kt | -20 °C | 140 kt | 3 h 26 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 270° at 33 kt | −28 kt | -33 °C | 148 kt | 3 h 15 min | 1:54 am EDT (05:54 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 260° at 43 kt | −38 kt | -39 °C | 158 kt | 3 h 03 min | 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 38 kt | −32 kt | -48 °C | 152 kt | 3 h 10 min | 1:49 am EDT (05:49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYS | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 320/20 | 340/18 11° | 340/32 9° | 340/36 4° | 330/37 -7° | 330/38 -19° | 330/50 -34° | 330/53 -38° | 330/44 -48° |
| TRI | used from 49 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 330/22 11° | 330/29 7° | 330/32 3° | 330/36 -8° | 320/34 -19° | 320/36 -34° | 320/43 -39° | 320/46 -47° | |
| ROA | used from 147 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| EKN | used from 245 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| RIC | used from 344 nm out; 88 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 393 nm out; 87 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYS Knoxville, TN | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,300 feet, overcast at 2,700 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 986 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
| MOR Morristown, TN | 39 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 800 ft | 1,312 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| TRI Bristol/Johnson/Kingsport, TN | 88 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 1,518 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| VJI Abingdon, VA | 108 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the west (260°) at 8 knots | 4 mi | 500 ft | 2,087 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| BLF Bluefield, WV | 157 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 500 ft | 2,856 ft | 02:26 UTC |
| LWB Lewisburg, WV | 216 nm out, 13 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 900 feet, a broken layer at 2,100 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 4 mi | 2,100 ft | 2,301 ft | 02:15 UTC |
| SHD Staunton/Waynesboro/Harrisonburg, VA | 285 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: light rain | calm | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 1,201 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 304 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: mist | calm | 5 mi | 300 ft | 640 ft | 02:01 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | 363 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north (350°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 312 ft | 01:52 UTC |
| BWI Baltimore, MD | 402 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 2.5 mi | 400 ft | 143 ft | 02:07 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 461 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the northeast (050°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 01:51 UTC |
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (070°) at 11 knots, gusting to 18 | 5 mi | 600 ft | 35 ft | 9:54 pm EDT (01:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,856 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:42 am EDT (05:42 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for PHL
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 21, 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 TYS, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local on the route, 373 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, 383 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 412 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at TYS 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC), at PHL 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:53 pm EDT (22:53 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PHL is before sunrise there (7:07 am EDT (11:07 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: MC Ghee Tyson Airport, Philadelphia International.