Philadelphia to Chicago Midway Turbulence Forecast

PHL → MDW · 667 miles · ~1h 50m

What to Expect

The Philadelphia to Chicago Midway route, while relatively short, crosses diverse geographical areas that can contribute to turbulence. You'll begin by flying west over the Northern Appalachians, where mechanical turbulence is common, caused by wind interacting with the mountains. As you cross the Atlantic Seaboard, you might encounter clear-air turbulence, which can occur even in seemingly clear skies. Then, you'll fly over the Ohio Valley, an area sometimes prone to frontal turbulence, associated with weather fronts. Finally, nearing Chicago, your flight path crosses the Great Lakes, where lake-effect turbulence can occur, especially when colder air passes over the warmer lake waters. This sounds like a lot, but it’s all very normal and well-accounted for in flight planning. Pilots are skilled at navigating these conditions, adjusting altitude and route as needed to find the smoothest possible ride.

Between Philadelphia and Chicago Midway, 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.
• Lake-Effect Turbulence: The Great Lakes produce lake-effect convection and low-level wind shear from land-water temperature contrasts.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

For the calmest flight, aim to travel during the summer or early fall months. The weather patterns are generally more stable, reducing the likelihood of significant turbulence over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, and lessening the impact of mountain waves in the Appalachians. Winter, spring, and late fall tend to be bumpier. During these seasons, stronger weather systems can bring more frontal turbulence over the Ohio Valley, while cooler temperatures over the Great Lakes increase the chance of lake-effect turbulence. Stronger winds aloft also increase the chance of mechanical turbulence over the Appalachians.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, consider booking a morning flight, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable earlier in the day. Any turbulence you encounter on this route is most likely to feel like driving on a slightly bumpy road, or perhaps a series of gentle thumps; it is very unlikely to be severe. To help yourself feel more comfortable, choose a seat over the wing, where movement is generally less noticeable, and focus on slow, deep breaths to stay relaxed. Remember, the pilots are highly trained to handle these conditions, and your safety is their top priority.

Get Your Forecast

Related Routes

See all routes from Philadelphia or to Chicago Midway.

More from Philadelphia

More to Chicago Midway

Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.