Denver to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

DEN → BUR · 849 miles · ~2h 12m

What to Expect

Your Denver to Burbank flight, heading southwest for about 2 hours and 12 minutes, has a few unique characteristics when it comes to potential bumps. Immediately after takeoff from Denver, you might encounter what's called Mountain Wave Turbulence as you cross the Front Range. This happens when strong winds hit the mountains and create waves in the atmosphere, a bit like water flowing over rocks in a stream. You might feel this again a little later as you cross the Central Rockies. Further along the route, over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, thermal turbulence is common. This is due to rising columns of warm air, especially on sunny days. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns; they monitor weather conditions and adjust altitude or course to find the smoothest ride, making it a normal part of the flight.

Flights between Denver 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

• Mountain Wave Turbulence: Strong westerly winds over the Front Range create oscillating waves that can produce sustained moderate turbulence at jet cruise levels.
• Thermal Turbulence: Extreme desert heating generates strong thermal updrafts that cause low-to-mid-level turbulence, especially in summer afternoons.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

The smoothest rides on the Denver to Burbank route are often found in the fall, as well as summer and winter. During these times, the atmospheric conditions tend to be more stable. Winter can be surprisingly smooth because the desert heat is less intense. However, winter and early spring can sometimes bring stronger winds over the mountains, increasing the chance of Mountain Wave Turbulence. Similarly, the summer months can see an increase in thermal turbulence over the deserts due to increased surface heating.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, try booking a morning flight out of Denver. The air tends to be calmer earlier in the day, especially over the desert. Any turbulence you might experience on this route is likely to feel like driving over small, shallow potholes in a car, not anything alarming. For extra comfort, choose a seat over the wing, as it's usually the most stable part of the plane. Remember to stay hydrated and focus on slow, deep breaths; you've got this, and the flight crew is there to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.