Knoxville to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

TYS → BUR · 1,938 miles · ~4h 23m

What to Expect

Flying from Knoxville to Burbank, you'll traverse a wide variety of terrains and weather patterns, making for a flight that can have moments of moderate turbulence. Immediately after takeoff, expect some mechanical turbulence as you cross the Southern Appalachians, where the mountains disrupt the airflow. As you continue west, across the Southeast Interior, Ohio Valley, and Mississippi Valley, convective turbulence, caused by rising warm air, is common, especially in warmer months. Further along, over the Ozark Plateau and Tornado Alley, this can become severe. The Great Plains may present clear-air turbulence (CAT), a phenomenon often found at higher altitudes. Approaching your destination, the Southern Rockies can generate mountain wave turbulence, while the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts might cause thermal turbulence from the hot desert air. Pilots are well-versed in navigating these conditions, using weather forecasts and onboard radar to anticipate and often avoid the roughest patches.

The Knoxville to Burbank route passes over the Southern Rockies in New Mexico and southern Colorado. While somewhat lower than the peaks to the north, these mountains still produce notable mountain wave turbulence, particularly when strong southwesterly winds aloft align perpendicular to the ridgeline.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Mechanical Turbulence: The Southern Appalachians produce terrain-induced chop, especially during strong wind events and summer convection over the ridgeline.
• Convective Turbulence: The warm, humid Southeast interior supports frequent thunderstorm development, particularly during afternoon hours.
• 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.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest flight, aim to travel in the fall. Late fall and early fall are particularly calm, as the convective activity diminishes and the jet stream patterns tend to be more stable. Winter, spring, early summer, early spring, and late winter tend to be the bumpiest seasons on this route. During these times, increased storm activity across the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, along with stronger jet streams over the Great Plains and Southern Rockies, can lead to more frequent and intense turbulence. In spring and summer, convective turbulence is more common over the Southeast Interior, Mississippi Valley, Ozark Plateau, and Tornado Alley.

Tips for This Flight

If you're anxious, booking a morning flight often leads to a smoother experience, as thermal and convective turbulence tends to build throughout the day. When you do encounter turbulence, it's likely to feel like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road for a few minutes. Choose a seat over the wing, which tends to experience less motion, and focus on slow, deep breaths. Remember that the pilots are highly trained to handle these conditions, and the aircraft is designed to withstand significant turbulence, so try to relax and trust their expertise.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.