Albuquerque to Cleveland Turbulence Forecast

ABQ → CLE · 1,408 miles · ~3h 19m

What to Expect

That Albuquerque to Cleveland flight, heading northeast over 1408 miles, certainly crosses a diverse range of landscapes, and with those landscapes come a few different types of turbulence. Initially, after leaving Albuquerque, you'll be crossing the Southern Rockies, which can cause mountain wave turbulence as air flows over the peaks. As you continue eastward over the Great Plains, expect possible clear-air turbulence (CAT). Then, over Tornado Alley, you might experience some severe convective turbulence, especially if there are storms around. Further along, crossing the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, you could encounter more convective and frontal turbulence, respectively. Finally, as you approach Cleveland, crossing the Great Lakes, lake-effect turbulence is possible. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns and use weather forecasts to plan routes that minimize bumps, so you're in good hands.

The Albuquerque to Cleveland route passes over the Southern Rockies in New Mexico and southern Colorado. While somewhat lower than the peaks to the north, these mountains still produce notable mountain wave turbulence, particularly when strong southwesterly winds aloft align perpendicular to the ridgeline.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Mountain Wave Turbulence: The Southern Rockies produce lee waves when southwesterly upper-level winds flow across the terrain.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The jet stream frequently meanders over the Great Plains, producing wind shear and clear-air turbulence at cruising altitudes.
• Severe Convective Turbulence: Tornado Alley supercells produce some of the most intense convective turbulence in North American aviation.
• Frontal Turbulence: The Ohio Valley is a preferred storm track where frontal boundaries and embedded convection create turbulence year-round.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

The smoothest flights on this route are typically found during the summer and fall months, and the early part of winter. During these times, the atmosphere is generally more stable. Late winter, spring, early summer, late fall, and early winter tend to be bumpier. This is because these periods bring increased storm activity across Tornado Alley and the Mississippi Valley, and stronger frontal systems affecting the Ohio Valley. Also, lake-effect turbulence is more common in late fall and winter. Mountain wave turbulence can occur any time of year, but is more pronounced when winds are stronger aloft.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, consider booking a morning flight, as the air tends to be calmer earlier in the day. Any bumps you do encounter along this route will likely feel like driving over a series of small potholes in the road; it's more of an annoyance than anything scary. To help stay relaxed, choose a seat over the wing of the aircraft; this area experiences less motion. Make sure you stay well-hydrated; it can help combat any anxiety you may feel, and remember, the pilots are expertly trained to handle these conditions, so you can sit back and try to enjoy the view.

Get Your Forecast

Related Routes

See all routes from Albuquerque or to Cleveland.

More from Albuquerque

More to Cleveland

Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.