Palm Springs to St. Louis Turbulence Forecast

PSP → STL · 1,489 miles · ~3h 29m

What to Expect

Flying east from Palm Springs to St. Louis takes you across a wide variety of landscapes, and each one has its own impact on the air. Right after takeoff, you'll be crossing both the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, where rising hot air, called thermal turbulence, can cause some initial bumps. As you continue east, the plane will cross the Southern Rockies, where mountain wave turbulence is common as wind flows over the peaks. Further along, over the Great Plains, clear-air turbulence, or CAT, can occur, often unexpectedly, because of high-altitude wind shear. Then, you'll be flying over Tornado Alley and the Mississippi Valley, where severe convective turbulence and general convective turbulence can result from thunderstorms and unstable air. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns and use weather forecasting and radar to navigate the smoothest possible path through them.

The Palm Springs to St. Louis 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?

If you're looking for the calmest flight, winter and fall offer the smoothest rides on this route, as the air tends to be more stable. Summer can also be smooth, but it brings the risk of afternoon thunderstorms. Late winter, spring, early spring, early summer, and summer tend to be the bumpiest times. This is due to increased thermal activity over the deserts, stronger winds over the Rockies, and more frequent and intense thunderstorms forming over Tornado Alley and the Mississippi Valley.

Tips for This Flight

For the smoothest possible experience, aim for a morning flight, as the air is generally calmer before the day heats up. Any turbulence you encounter is most likely to feel like driving over a bumpy road or hitting small, unexpected potholes. To help stay relaxed, choose a seat over the wing of the aircraft, where it's more stable and there's less motion. Staying well-hydrated can also help you feel more comfortable, and remember that the flight crew is there to ensure your safety and comfort; they are happy to answer your questions.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.