Syracuse to Burbank Turbulence Forecast

SYR → BUR · 2,335 miles · ~5h 10m

What to Expect

The Syracuse to Burbank flight, heading west over 2335 miles, does cross a variety of geographic features that can cause turbulence. Expect some bumps soon after takeoff as you cross the Northern Appalachians, where mechanical turbulence from the mountains can occur. Then, as you pass over the Great Lakes, there could be lake-effect turbulence, especially if it's a cooler time of year. Farther along the route, keep in mind that clear-air turbulence, or CAT, is possible over the Atlantic Seaboard, the Upper Midwest, and the Great Plains. Finally, as you approach Burbank, the Front Range and Central Rockies can create mountain wave turbulence, while the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts may see thermal turbulence. Pilots are well-versed in navigating these conditions, and these are all normal patterns they encounter regularly.

Flights between Syracuse 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

• Mechanical Turbulence: The Northern Appalachians generate low-level mechanical turbulence during strong post-frontal northwest winds.
• Lake-Effect Turbulence: The Great Lakes produce lake-effect convection and low-level wind shear from land-water temperature contrasts.
• Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT): The Atlantic coast jet stream and land-sea temperature contrasts create frequent clear-air turbulence at cruising altitude.
• 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?

For the smoothest possible flight, aim for summer or early fall. During these months, the air tends to be more stable over the Great Lakes and the Rockies, reducing lake-effect and mountain wave turbulence. Winter, late fall, early winter, and early spring tend to be the bumpiest, as stronger winds aloft create more clear-air turbulence and mountain wave effects. Summer can also get bumpy when desert thermals are strongest.

Tips for This Flight

Opt for a morning flight if possible, as the air tends to be calmer earlier in the day, especially when crossing the desert regions. The turbulence you might experience on this route is usually like hitting a series of potholes in a car, not usually anything more dramatic than that. Staying hydrated can also help you feel more comfortable, so bring a water bottle and sip on it throughout the flight. Remember, the pilots are trained to handle these conditions, and their priority is always your safety and comfort.

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Forecasts based on NOAA HRRR and GFS atmospheric model data.