New York LaGuardia to Memphis Turbulence Forecast

LGA → MEM · 961 miles · ~2h 25m

What to Expect

The New York LaGuardia to Memphis flight, heading west for about 2 hours and 25 minutes, does cross a variety of geographic features that can contribute to turbulence. Expect some bumps as you fly over the Northern and Southern Appalachians; this is mechanical turbulence caused by wind interacting with the mountains. You also might encounter clear-air turbulence over the Atlantic Seaboard, a common phenomenon at higher altitudes. As you continue west, you could experience frontal turbulence over the Ohio Valley as weather systems meet. Approaching Memphis, the Mississippi Valley and the Southeast Interior are sometimes subject to convective turbulence, which results from rising warm air. These are all normal weather patterns, and pilots are very familiar with navigating them.

Between New York LaGuardia and Memphis, the route crosses the Northern Appalachians from Pennsylvania through New England. While lower than western ranges, the Appalachians still produce mechanical turbulence and low-level wind shear, particularly when strong northwest winds follow cold frontal passages. Flights below 20,000 feet feel this most acutely.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• Mechanical Turbulence: The Northern Appalachians generate low-level mechanical turbulence during strong post-frontal northwest winds.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The Atlantic coast jet stream and land-sea temperature contrasts create frequent clear-air turbulence at cruising altitude.
• 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.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible flight, aim to travel this route in the late fall. Summer and early fall can also offer relatively calm flights. Winter, spring, and early summer tend to be bumpier, primarily because of stronger jet streams causing more clear-air turbulence and more frequent weather fronts crossing the Ohio Valley. Spring and summer also bring an increased chance of convective turbulence in the Mississippi Valley and Southeast Interior.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking your flight for late fall may offer a slightly smoother ride. Any turbulence you do experience on this route is likely to feel like driving on a road with potholes, perhaps a bit more pronounced at times. To stay comfortable, choose a seat over the wing, as it's closest to the plane's center of gravity and experiences less motion. Remember that the pilots are highly trained to handle these conditions, and try some deep breathing exercises; you'll be landing in Memphis before you know it.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.