Burbank to Portland Maine Turbulence Forecast

BUR → PWM · 2,625 miles · ~5h 45m

What to Expect

The Burbank to Portland Maine route offers a real sampler platter of potential turbulence, owing to the variety of landscapes you'll be crossing. Early in the flight, expect some bumps as you fly over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts; this is thermal turbulence, caused by rising warm air. As you continue northeast, you'll encounter the Central Rockies and the Front Range, where mountain wave turbulence can occur as wind interacts with the terrain. Once you're over the Great Plains, be prepared for clear-air turbulence (CAT), which can appear seemingly out of nowhere. Crossing the Great Lakes might bring lake-effect turbulence, especially if there's a temperature contrast between the air and water. Further along, the Upper Midwest can also experience CAT. As you approach Portland, the Northern Appalachians might cause some mechanical turbulence. Finally, the Atlantic Seaboard could bring more CAT as you near your destination. These are common, well-understood weather patterns that pilots are trained to handle.

Between Burbank and Portland Maine, the flight path crosses the Central Rockies of Colorado and Utah. This area is one of the most turbulence-prone zones in the U.S., with mountain wave activity reported on more than half of winter days. Waves can propagate far downstream, meaning turbulence may begin well before or after the visible peaks.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Thermal Turbulence: Extreme desert heating generates strong thermal updrafts that cause low-to-mid-level turbulence, especially in summer afternoons.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: The Central Rockies produce frequent, sometimes severe, mountain waves that can extend 100+ miles downstream.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The jet stream frequently meanders over the Great Plains, producing wind shear and clear-air turbulence at cruising altitudes.
• Lake-Effect Turbulence: The Great Lakes produce lake-effect convection and low-level wind shear from land-water temperature contrasts.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible flight, consider booking your trip for mid to late fall. At this time, thermal activity over the deserts is diminished, and the risk of lake-effect turbulence is minimal. Winter can also be relatively smooth, though mountain wave turbulence in the Rockies could be more pronounced. Summer tends to be bumpier because of increased thermal activity in the deserts. Early spring, late fall, and early winter may also see increased turbulence as weather systems transition and winds become more variable, especially near the mountains.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking a morning flight often leads to a smoother experience, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable earlier in the day. Any turbulence you might encounter on this route will likely feel like driving on a slightly bumpy, unpaved road, or perhaps a bit like a boat gently rocking on the water. To enhance your comfort, choose a seat over the wing, which tends to experience less motion, and remember to stay well-hydrated; this helps your body cope with any motion. Most importantly, trust that the pilots are highly skilled at navigating these conditions, and turbulence is a normal part of flying.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.