Des Moines to Salt Lake City Turbulence Forecast

DSM → SLC · 952 miles · ~2h 24m

What to Expect

The Des Moines to Salt Lake City route, heading west over 952 miles, has its own turbulence personality. The first part of your flight takes you across the Great Plains, where you might encounter clear-air turbulence or CAT. CAT is often caused by shifting air currents high in the atmosphere, but it's usually manageable, and pilots are very skilled at navigating it. As you approach Salt Lake City, you'll be flying over the Central Rockies. This means you could experience mountain wave turbulence, which forms when wind hits the mountains and creates wave-like air patterns. Keep in mind that pilots are trained to anticipate and handle these conditions, using weather reports and radar to choose the smoothest possible path. They're experts at making your flight as comfortable as possible, even when encountering expected bumps.

Between Des Moines and Salt Lake City, the flight path crosses the Central Rockies of Colorado and Utah. This area is one of the most turbulence-prone zones in the U.S., with mountain wave activity reported on more than half of winter days. Waves can propagate far downstream, meaning turbulence may begin well before or after the visible peaks.

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: The Central Rockies produce frequent, sometimes severe, mountain waves that can extend 100+ miles downstream.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible ride on this route, aim to fly during the summer or early fall. The atmosphere tends to be more stable then, reducing the likelihood of significant turbulence over both the plains and the mountains. Winter and early spring, on the other hand, can be bumpier. During these months, stronger winds aloft create more clear-air turbulence across the Great Plains, and the mountain wave effect over the Rockies is often amplified by the jet stream.

Tips for This Flight

If you're anxious about turbulence, booking a morning flight is often your best bet, as the atmosphere tends to be calmer earlier in the day. Any turbulence you experience on this route will likely feel like driving over a series of small, unexpected dips in the road; it's usually more of an annoyance than anything else. Staying hydrated can help you feel more relaxed, so drink plenty of water before and during the flight. Remember, the crew is there to support you, and they're well-prepared to handle any situation that may arise.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.