Des Moines to Ontario Turbulence Forecast

DSM → ONT · 1,400 miles · ~3h 18m

What to Expect

Your flight from Des Moines (DSM) to Ontario (ONT) covers about 1400 miles west, and it's a route that can experience a few different kinds of turbulence. As you leave Des Moines and cross the Great Plains, you might encounter clear-air turbulence, or CAT, which is caused by shifting air currents high up. As you continue west, your plane will pass over the Front Range and the Central Rockies, where mountain wave turbulence is common. This happens when strong winds are disrupted by the mountains, creating waves in the atmosphere. Finally, nearing Ontario, you'll fly over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where thermal turbulence, caused by rising warm air, is possible. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns and use weather forecasting to navigate the best routes; it’s all part of a normal flight.

Flights between Des Moines and Ontario 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

• 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.
• 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 flights on this route are often in the summer, early fall, and winter. During summer, thermal turbulence over the deserts is lessened with the relative drop in ground temperatures. In the cooler months, you're less likely to encounter the mountain wave turbulence common over the Rockies. Winter, early spring, and summer tend to be the bumpier seasons. The strong winds that contribute to mountain wave turbulence are more frequent in winter and early spring. Summer heat can also increase thermal turbulence, as the desert air heats up and rises more intensely.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking a morning flight often gives you the smoothest ride, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable earlier in the day, before the ground heats up and creates thermal updrafts. If you do experience turbulence, it will probably feel like driving over a bumpy, unpaved road for a few minutes; usually, it's more noticeable than it is severe. Staying well-hydrated helps your body handle any stress, so drink plenty of water before and during your flight. Remember that the pilots are trained to manage these conditions, and they are constantly monitoring the weather to ensure a safe and comfortable flight.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.