Pittsburgh to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

PIT → BUR · 2,122 miles · ~4h 45m

What to Expect

Your flight from Pittsburgh to Burbank crosses a wide variety of landscapes, and each has its own potential for turbulence. Departing Pittsburgh, you'll first encounter the Ohio Valley, where frontal turbulence is common as air masses collide. As you track west over the Mississippi Valley and Tornado Alley, convective turbulence, sometimes even severe, can arise, particularly if storm clouds are present. Further along, over the Great Plains, clear-air turbulence, or CAT, is possible at higher altitudes due to shifting wind currents. Approaching the Rockies, you might experience mountain wave turbulence as air flows over the Front Range and the Central Rockies themselves. Finally, expect some thermal turbulence over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts as warm air rises from the hot ground. Pilots are well-versed in these patterns and use weather data to navigate the smoothest possible path through them.

Flights between Pittsburgh and Burbank pass along the Front Range, where the abrupt rise of the Colorado Rockies generates some of the strongest mountain wave turbulence in the continental U.S. Downdrafts east of the ridgeline can be intense, and rotor turbulence near the surface sometimes extends to cruising altitude during high-wind events.

Turbulence Factors on This Route

• 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.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The jet stream frequently meanders over the Great Plains, producing wind shear and clear-air turbulence at cruising altitudes.
• Mountain Wave Turbulence: Strong westerly winds over the Front Range create oscillating waves that can produce sustained moderate turbulence at jet cruise levels.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

The most consistently smooth flights on this route are typically in the early fall and fall months, extending into winter. These periods tend to be calmer because the atmospheric conditions are more stable over the Great Plains and the desert regions are cooler. Conversely, winter, spring, early summer, and early spring are usually the bumpiest times to fly this route. This is due to increased frontal activity in the Ohio Valley, stronger storm systems across the Mississippi Valley and Tornado Alley, and greater potential for mountain wave turbulence in the Rockies.

Tips for This Flight

For the smoothest possible flight, aim for a morning departure, as thermal turbulence tends to build throughout the day. When you do experience turbulence, remember that most of the time it feels like driving on a bumpy, unpaved road. If you're concerned about mid-flight bumps, choose a seat over the wing, as this area tends to experience less motion. Staying well-hydrated can also help you feel more comfortable; remember that the crew is there to assist you, and turbulence is a routine part of flying.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.