Palm Springs to Chicago Midway Turbulence Forecast

PSP → MDW · 1,654 miles · ~3h 48m

What to Expect

The flight from Palm Springs (PSP) to Chicago Midway (MDW) certainly covers a lot of ground, and that means experiencing a variety of weather patterns that can cause turbulence. Right after takeoff, you might feel some bumps as you cross the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, thanks to thermal turbulence caused by the hot desert air rising. Further along, as you fly over the Southern, Central, and Front Range Rockies, expect some mountain wave turbulence as the wind interacts with the peaks. Once you reach the Great Plains, you could encounter clear-air turbulence (CAT), which can occur even in seemingly clear skies. Depending on the time of year, Tornado Alley could bring severe convective turbulence. Nearing Chicago, the Great Lakes might cause lake-effect turbulence, and the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys sometimes bring convective or frontal turbulence. All these kinds of turbulence are well-understood phenomena, and pilots are trained to navigate them safely.

The Palm Springs to Chicago Midway 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

• Thermal Turbulence: Extreme desert heating generates strong thermal updrafts that cause low-to-mid-level turbulence, especially in summer afternoons.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: The Southern Rockies produce lee waves when southwesterly upper-level winds flow across the terrain.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The jet stream frequently meanders over the Great Plains, producing wind shear and clear-air turbulence at cruising altitudes.
• Severe Convective Turbulence: Tornado Alley supercells produce some of the most intense convective turbulence in North American aviation.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the smoothest possible ride on this route, aim for winter or early fall. The air tends to be more stable during these times, which minimizes thermal and convective activity. Summer, late winter, spring, early spring, early summer, late fall, and early winter tend to be the bumpiest, especially when crossing the Rockies, due to increased mountain wave turbulence, and over Tornado Alley, the Mississippi Valley and the Ohio Valley, due to convective storms and frontal systems. In general, the shifting seasons mean more unstable air, leading to a greater chance of turbulence across the diverse geographic regions along this route.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, booking a morning flight is your best bet, as the atmosphere is usually calmer earlier in the day. When you do experience turbulence, it often feels like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road, or perhaps a small boat gently rocking on a lake. To help stay relaxed, choose a seat over the wing, where motion is minimized, and focus on slow, deep breaths; remember that the pilots are constantly monitoring the conditions and are prepared for any changes. You'll be in Chicago before you know it.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.