Buffalo to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

BUF → BUR · 2,202 miles · ~4h 54m

What to Expect

Your flight from Buffalo to Burbank will take you over a variety of terrains, each capable of producing its own unique air currents. Shortly after takeoff, you'll cross the Northern Appalachians where the air moving over the mountains can cause what's known as mechanical turbulence. Then, flying west, you'll likely encounter lake-effect turbulence as you pass over the Great Lakes. As you fly over the Upper Midwest and then the Great Plains, you might experience clear-air turbulence (CAT), caused by shifting air currents at high altitudes. Further along the route, you'll cross the Mississippi Valley, where warm air rising can lead to convective turbulence. Approaching the West Coast, over the Front Range and Central Rockies, the wind interacting with the mountains may create mountain wave turbulence. Finally, as you descend toward Burbank, you'll fly over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where thermal turbulence can occur as warm air rises from the hot desert floor. Pilots are trained to navigate these common weather patterns, so there's nothing to worry about.

Flights between Buffalo 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.
• Lake-Effect Turbulence: The Great Lakes produce lake-effect convection and low-level wind shear from land-water temperature contrasts.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The Upper Midwest sits beneath frequent polar jet stream intrusions, producing clear-air turbulence at cruising altitudes.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: Strong westerly winds over the Front Range create oscillating waves that can produce sustained moderate turbulence at jet cruise levels.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible flight, aim to travel in the early fall or fall. During these months, the air tends to be more stable over much of the country, reducing the likelihood of significant turbulence. Winter, late fall, early winter, spring, early summer, early spring, and summer can be bumpier because of increased temperature differences and stronger weather systems. Winter and spring are especially prone to lake-effect and mountain wave turbulence, while summer sees more convective activity in the Mississippi Valley and thermal turbulence in the deserts.

Tips for This Flight

Booking a morning flight is your best bet for a smoother ride, as the air is generally calmer before the day heats up. Any turbulence you might encounter on this route is usually like driving on a bumpy road, not a rollercoaster. To help you feel more comfortable, choose a seat over the wing, as it's the most stable part of the plane. And remember, staying hydrated can help reduce any anxiety, so drink plenty of water before and during your flight. You've got this.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.