Nashville to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

BNA → BUR · 1,787 miles · ~4h 4m

What to Expect

Your flight from Nashville to Burbank crosses a wide variety of geographic areas, each with its own weather personality. Leaving Nashville, you'll first encounter the Ohio Valley, which can bring frontal turbulence, caused by colliding air masses. As you head west over the Mississippi Valley and the Ozark Plateau, expect possible convective turbulence, created by rising warm air. Then comes a stretch over Tornado Alley, which, depending on the time of year, could mean some severe convective turbulence. Further along, over the Great Plains, there's a chance of clear-air turbulence, or CAT, a phenomenon that occurs in the absence of clouds. Approaching the Southern Rockies, you might experience mountain wave turbulence, caused by air flowing over the mountains. Finally, as you descend toward Burbank, you'll cross the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts where thermal turbulence, due to heated air rising from the desert floor, is common. Remember, pilots are experts at navigating these conditions and use sophisticated tools to anticipate and avoid significant turbulence.

The Nashville 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

• 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.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: The Southern Rockies produce lee waves when southwesterly upper-level winds flow across the terrain.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

The smoothest flights on the Nashville to Burbank route are usually in late summer, early fall, and fall, when the weather systems are typically more stable. Winter can also be fairly smooth. Spring, early summer, early spring, and late winter tend to be bumpier. This is because the increased temperature differences can lead to more frontal activity in the Ohio Valley, and more convective activity across the Mississippi Valley, Ozark Plateau, and especially Tornado Alley. Also, the mountain wave turbulence over the Rockies can be more pronounced in the spring.

Tips for This Flight

If possible, aim for a morning flight, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable earlier in the day, leading to less thermal and convective turbulence. Any turbulence you encounter on this route will most likely feel like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road for a few minutes at a time. Choosing a seat over the wing can minimize the sensation of movement. Remember to stay hydrated and practice deep, slow breaths to help calm your nerves; your well-being is the flight crew’s top priority.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.