Chicago Midway to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

MDW → BUR · 1,737 miles · ~3h 58m

What to Expect

Chicago Midway to Burbank is a fairly long flight, nearly four hours heading due west, and it crosses a wide variety of terrain, which means encountering several different kinds of turbulence. You'll start out over the Great Lakes, where 'lake-effect' turbulence can happen, especially if there's a temperature difference between the air and the water. As you head west, you’ll cross the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, where weather fronts can cause bumps. The Great Plains are known for clear-air turbulence (CAT), which can occur even in seemingly clear skies. Then, as you approach Burbank, you'll fly over the Front Range and the Central Rockies, where mountain waves can create turbulence. Finally, the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts can experience thermal turbulence from rising warm air. Pilots are very familiar with all these patterns and use weather forecasts to plan the smoothest possible route.

Flights between Chicago Midway 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

• Lake-Effect Turbulence: The Great Lakes produce lake-effect convection and low-level wind shear from land-water temperature contrasts.
• Frontal Turbulence: The Ohio Valley is a preferred storm track where frontal boundaries and embedded convection create turbulence year-round.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The jet stream frequently meanders over the Great Plains, producing wind shear and 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 flight, aim for summer, early fall, or winter. During these times, the air tends to be more stable over the Great Lakes and the Plains, reducing lake-effect and clear-air turbulence. Late fall, early winter, spring, early summer, and summer can be bumpier. This is when weather fronts are more active over the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, convective turbulence is common, and mountain wave turbulence is more pronounced over the Rockies due to stronger winds aloft.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking a morning flight can often be a smoother choice; the air tends to be calmer earlier in the day, before the sun has had time to heat the ground and create thermal updrafts. Any turbulence you experience on this route will likely feel like driving on a bumpy road for a few minutes, or perhaps a sudden dip. To help yourself feel more comfortable, choose a seat over the wing, as it's the most stable part of the plane; stay well-hydrated, as dehydration can heighten anxiety; and focus on slow, deep breaths. Remember, turbulence is a normal part of flying, and the pilots are well-trained to handle it.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.