Des Moines to Phoenix Turbulence Forecast

DSM → PHX · 1,147 miles · ~2h 48m

What to Expect

The Des Moines to Phoenix flight is an interesting one, turbulence-wise, as it crosses several diverse geographic features. You'll start over the Great Plains, which can bring clear-air turbulence, those sudden jolts caused by shifting air currents high up. As you head southwest, you'll pass through Tornado Alley, where severe convective turbulence, the kind associated with thunderstorms, can occur, especially during certain seasons. Then, there's a stretch over the Front Range and the Rockies. Mountain wave turbulence is common there as wind whips over the peaks. Finally, you'll cross the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where thermal turbulence, bumps from rising hot air, can be present, especially in the warmer months. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns and use weather forecasting and onboard radar to navigate them, often finding smoother air at different altitudes.

Flights between Des Moines and Phoenix 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.
• Severe Convective Turbulence: Tornado Alley supercells produce some of the most intense convective turbulence in North American aviation.
• 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 tend to be in the late summer, fall, and early winter months. Summer, while generally calm, can still bring some thermal turbulence over the deserts. The bumpiest times are usually late winter, early spring, and spring as the jet stream strengthens. This is when clear-air turbulence over the plains and mountain wave turbulence over the Rockies are more frequent. Early summer can bring convective turbulence in Tornado Alley. The transition seasons tend to be more variable, so it is worth checking the forecast close to your flight date.

Tips for This Flight

If possible, consider booking a morning flight, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable earlier in the day. Any turbulence you might experience on this route would likely feel like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road for a few minutes at a time. To help stay calm, choose a seat over the wing, as it's the most stable part of the aircraft, and focus on slow, deep breaths; this can help regulate your nervous system. Remember that turbulence is a normal part of flying, and the pilots are well-trained to handle it, keeping you safe and comfortable.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.