Baltimore to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

BWI → BUR · 2,315 miles · ~5h 8m

What to Expect

The flight from Baltimore (BWI) to Burbank (BUR) covers a significant distance, meaning it will likely encounter a variety of weather patterns that can cause turbulence. Expect some initial bumps as you cross the Northern Appalachians where mechanical turbulence occurs, caused by wind interacting with the mountains. Then, further west over the Atlantic Seaboard and the Great Plains, you might experience clear-air turbulence (CAT), which is often unexpected but generally mild. As you continue westward, you'll fly over the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys; frontal and convective turbulence are normal here, especially during certain times of the year. Further west still, over Tornado Alley, there is a risk of encountering severe convective turbulence. Finally, approaching Burbank, you'll cross the Front Range, Central Rockies, and Southern Rockies, so expect some mountain wave turbulence. As you descend over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, you may feel the effects of thermal turbulence. Pilots are trained to navigate these conditions safely every day.

Flights between Baltimore and Burbank pass along the Front Range, where the abrupt rise of the Colorado Rockies generates some of the strongest mountain wave turbulence in the continental U.S. Downdrafts east of the ridgeline can be intense, and rotor turbulence near the surface sometimes extends to cruising altitude during high-wind events.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Mechanical Turbulence: The Northern Appalachians generate low-level mechanical turbulence during strong post-frontal northwest winds.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The Atlantic coast jet stream and land-sea temperature contrasts create frequent clear-air turbulence at cruising altitude.
• Frontal Turbulence: The Ohio Valley is a preferred storm track where frontal boundaries and embedded convection create turbulence year-round.
• Convective Turbulence: The Mississippi Valley is a breeding ground for squall lines and mesoscale convective systems that produce widespread turbulence.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible flight on this route, aim for the summer, early fall, fall, or winter months. The conditions are generally calmer then. Spring, early summer, early spring, late winter, and summer tend to be bumpier. This is because spring brings increased frontal activity and convective thunderstorms to the Ohio, Mississippi, and Tornado Valleys. Winter and early spring can bring strong jet stream activity, increasing clear-air turbulence (CAT) over the Atlantic Seaboard and the Great Plains, and mountain wave turbulence over the Rockies.

Tips for This Flight

Opt for a morning flight; the air tends to be calmer before the day heats up, reducing thermal and convective turbulence, and giving you a better chance of avoiding afternoon thunderstorms. Any turbulence you experience on this route will likely feel like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road for a few minutes at a time; it's rarely anything more dramatic than that. For extra comfort, choose a seat over the wing since it's the most stable part of the plane, and remember to focus on slow, deep breaths, knowing that the pilots are well-prepared to handle any in-flight conditions.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.