Lexington to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

LEX → BUR · 1,892 miles · ~4h 17m

What to Expect

The Lexington to Burbank route, heading west, is a bit of a meteorological sampler platter, truth be told. You'll be cruising for over four hours, encountering several well-understood weather phenomena along the way. Immediately after takeoff, you might experience some mechanical turbulence as you cross the Southern Appalachians. As you move into the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, frontal and convective turbulence are possible, especially if there are weather systems moving through. Then, you cross the Ozark Plateau, where convective turbulence might occur. Tornado Alley can bring severe convective turbulence, so pilots pay special attention to conditions there. Farther west, over the Great Plains, clear-air turbulence (CAT) can occur even in otherwise clear skies. Crossing the Southern Rockies introduces the possibility of mountain wave turbulence, which is also common in the lee of mountains. Finally, as you descend into Burbank, thermal turbulence over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts might give you a little jiggle. All of these are normal, and pilots are trained to navigate them.

The Lexington 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.
• Frontal Turbulence: The Ohio Valley is a preferred storm track where frontal boundaries and embedded convection create turbulence year-round.
• Convective Turbulence: The Mississippi Valley is a breeding ground for squall lines and mesoscale convective systems that produce widespread turbulence.
• 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 possible flight, aim for fall. Early fall is especially reliable. Spring and summer are generally better than winter, with a good chance of smooth air. However, winter, late winter, early spring, early summer and summer tend to be the bumpiest seasons on this route. The reason? The combination of strong weather fronts crossing the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, along with increased convective activity and thunderstorm development over the Ozark Plateau, Tornado Alley, and the deserts, contributes to more frequent turbulence.

Tips for This Flight

If you're anxious, booking a morning flight is often a good strategy, since thermal turbulence tends to be weaker earlier in the day. Any bumps you do experience on this route will most likely feel like driving on a slightly bumpy road or, at most, a few strong potholes. Choose a seat over the wing; that area experiences less motion. And remember to stay well-hydrated. Deep, regular breaths can work wonders for calming your nerves, so try to focus on your breathing and know that the pilots are experts at handling these conditions. The plane is designed to withstand much more than you'll ever experience, and you'll be in Burbank before you know it.

Get Your Forecast

Related Routes

See all routes from Lexington or to Burbank.

More from Lexington

More to Burbank

Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.