Phoenix to Wichita Turbulence Forecast

PHX → ICT · 868 miles · ~2h 14m

What to Expect

Your flight from Phoenix to Wichita crosses a fascinating, and sometimes bumpy, slice of America. Immediately after takeoff, you'll be over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. The sun-baked ground heats the air above, creating what's known as thermal turbulence. These are like the little ripples you see above hot pavement, and planes often experience them as light chop. Further along, you'll cross the Southern Rockies, where mountain wave turbulence can occur when strong winds are forced up and over the peaks. As you approach Wichita, you'll be flying over the Great Plains, an area notorious for clear-air turbulence (CAT), which can happen even on seemingly calm days. Finally, Wichita sits right in Tornado Alley, so you might experience severe convective turbulence, especially in stormier seasons. Pilots are constantly monitoring and adjusting to these conditions, so you are in good hands.

The Phoenix to Wichita 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 smoothest possible ride, winter and fall are generally your best bets for this route. Summer can be more turbulent, especially crossing the deserts due to increased thermal activity and in the plains because of storm formation. Late winter, spring, early summer, and winter are also often bumpier. Spring, especially, can see increased turbulence over Tornado Alley as storm systems develop. These seasonal changes are predictable, however, and pilots are well-versed in navigating them.

Tips for This Flight

Opting for a morning flight is your single best bet to minimize turbulence from both storms and thermal lift. Any turbulence you do experience on this route will most likely feel like driving on a road with small potholes or, at worst, a sudden dip. Bringing a reusable water bottle and staying well-hydrated can really help you feel more comfortable. Remember, the pilots are trained to handle all kinds of conditions, and this route is flown every day. You’ve got this.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.