Memphis to Savannah Turbulence Forecast

MEM → SAV · 543 miles · ~1h 35m

What to Expect

The Memphis to Savannah flight, while relatively short at around 1 hour and 35 minutes, crosses varied terrain that can sometimes lead to a bit of chop. Departing Memphis, you'll be flying over the Mississippi Valley and then the Southeast Interior, both areas prone to convective turbulence. This type of bumpiness is caused by rising warm air creating updrafts and downdrafts, especially when the atmosphere is unstable. Later, as you approach Savannah, the flight path crosses the Southern Appalachians, where mechanical turbulence can occur as the wind interacts with the mountains. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns, and they use weather forecasts and onboard radar to anticipate and navigate around areas of turbulence to ensure a safe, if not always perfectly smooth, flight.

The flight between Memphis and Savannah crosses the Mississippi Valley, a corridor where warm, moist Gulf air collides with cooler continental air masses. This convergence zone spawns squall lines and mesoscale convective systems that can stretch hundreds of miles, creating broad areas of moderate-to-severe convective turbulence.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Convective Turbulence: The Mississippi Valley is a breeding ground for squall lines and mesoscale convective systems that produce widespread turbulence.
• Mechanical Turbulence: The Southern Appalachians produce terrain-induced chop, especially during strong wind events and summer convection over the ridgeline.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible ride on this route, aim for a flight in the fall or late fall. During these seasons, the atmosphere is generally more stable, leading to fewer instances of convective turbulence. Winter and spring can be more prone to bumps, particularly as weather systems transition and instability increases over the Mississippi Valley and Southeast Interior. The summer months also tend to be bumpier because of increased convective activity associated with thunderstorms and heat. In winter, mechanical turbulence becomes more frequent as stronger winds interact with the Southern Appalachians.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking your flight for earlier in the day often leads to a smoother experience, as the atmosphere tends to be more settled in the morning. Any turbulence you might encounter on this route is most likely to feel like driving on a road with small potholes, a fairly common occurrence. Staying well-hydrated and choosing a seat over the wing, where the plane experiences less motion, can also help you feel more comfortable. Remember that the pilots are highly skilled at managing these conditions, and the aircraft are designed to handle them, so try to relax and enjoy the flight.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.