St. Louis to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

STL → BUR · 1,580 miles · ~3h 40m

What to Expect

The St. Louis to Burbank flight is interesting, turbulence-wise, because it crosses so many different types of terrain. Departing St. Louis, you'll first fly over the Mississippi Valley, where 'convective turbulence' from rising warm air can cause some initial bumps. Then, your flight path takes you through Tornado Alley, where, particularly in spring, 'severe convective turbulence' can occur. As you move further west over the Great Plains, you might experience 'clear-air turbulence', often caused by shifting wind currents at high altitude. The final third of the journey is dominated by the Rocky Mountains and the deserts of the Southwest. Approaching Burbank, expect potential 'mountain wave turbulence' as the wind flows over the Front Range, Central Rockies, and Southern Rockies, and possible 'thermal turbulence' over the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Pilots are very familiar with these patterns and use weather forecasting to navigate accordingly.

Flights between St. Louis 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

• 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.
• Thermal Turbulence: Extreme desert heating generates strong thermal updrafts that cause low-to-mid-level turbulence, especially in summer afternoons.

When Is This Route Bumpiest?

The fall months, especially early fall, tend to be the smoothest time to fly this route. Winter and summer can also offer smoother flights, relatively speaking. However, spring and early summer are often bumpier due to increased convective activity and storm systems in Tornado Alley. Late winter and early spring can also be turbulent, especially around the Rockies, where mountain wave activity is more pronounced. Summer months might experience thermal turbulence over the deserts of the Southwest.

Tips for This Flight

If you're concerned about turbulence, aim for an early morning flight out of St. Louis, as the atmosphere tends to be more stable then. Any turbulence you encounter on this route will likely feel like driving over a bumpy road or hitting a few unexpected potholes. For added comfort, choose a seat over the wing, which tends to experience less motion. Remember to stay hydrated and practice deep, slow breathing throughout the flight. Rest assured, your pilots are highly trained to handle any turbulence, and the aircraft are built to withstand it, so you're in good hands.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.