Chicago Midway to Las Vegas Turbulence Forecast

MDW → LAS · 1,517 miles · ~3h 32m

What to Expect

Chicago Midway to Las Vegas is a westbound flight that crosses a variety of geographic features, each with its own potential for turbulence. You might experience some light chop as you leave Chicago and fly over the Great Lakes, caused by lake-effect turbulence. As you continue west, crossing the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, there's a chance of encountering frontal or convective turbulence, especially if there are weather systems present. Over the Great Plains, pilots watch out for clear-air turbulence (CAT), which can occur even in seemingly clear skies. Approaching the Rockies, mountain wave turbulence is common, particularly as the air flows over the Front Range and the Central Rockies. Finally, as you descend into Las Vegas, thermal turbulence can occur over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, created by rising warm air.

Flights between Chicago Midway and Las Vegas 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 possible ride, consider flying this route in the summer, early fall, or fall. During these months, the atmospheric conditions tend to be more stable, reducing the likelihood of significant turbulence over the Great Plains and Rockies. Late fall, early winter, winter, spring, early summer, early spring, and summer can be a bit bumpier. This is due to stronger jet streams (CAT), more frequent frontal systems crossing the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, and increased mountain wave activity near the Front Range and Central Rockies, as well as rising warm air over the deserts.

Tips for This Flight

Booking your flight for early morning often provides a smoother experience, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable before the day heats up and creates thermal turbulence. Any turbulence you do experience on this route will likely feel like driving on a road with small potholes, rather than anything dramatic. To stay comfortable, choose a seat over the wing; this part of the plane experiences less motion. Deep, slow breathing can also help calm your nerves; inhale slowly for a count of four, hold for two, and exhale slowly for six, repeating as needed. Remember that the pilots are highly trained to handle these conditions.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.