Part 1…Nervous about flying?…Most turbulent flights in the US…

As the California wildfires continue, my sister Julie, who lives in Brentwood, waits for another evacuation notice. The first notice took her and her roommate to a friend’s home, and they were able to return days later. However, they could be evacuating again with more high winds predicted for today and tomorrow.

The stress and horror about this unimaginable situation for all the residents who’ve lost loved ones, their homes, and all of their belongings is hard to fathom. We send love and prayers to everyone impacted by this devastation.

It seems insignificant to discuss anything other than the devastation of these times, but life goes on for the rest of us, albeit with an added awareness of how fragile our lives are. Anything can happen at any time. Although we continue with our usual posts about our lives and travel, that doesn’t mean we are not continually thinking and praying for everyone involved, including the brave and relentless firefighters and first responders who sacrifice so much to help.

Today’s and tomorrow’s stories focus on air turbulence during fights, which appears more frequently in the news and videos than ever before. Is turbulence getting worse? I don’t assume so. However, with more people making videos during flights, posting comments online, and receiving increased exposure from the media, it seems so.

Below is a list of air turbulence that is most prevalent when flying over certain areas in the US, and tomorrow’s post will include details of air turbulence in flights outside the US. Please check back,

Turbulence on flights in the US can vary depending on weather patterns, geography, and the time of year. However, some regions and routes are notoriously more turbulent due to jet streams, mountain ranges, and seasonal weather systems. Here are the most turbulent areas and flights in the US:

1. Flights Over the Rocky Mountains

• Why Turbulent: The Rockies cause significant atmospheric disturbances, particularly mountain wave turbulence. Winds flow over the mountains, creating air currents that can result in turbulence.
• Notable Routes: Flights between Denver (DEN) and cities like Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA), or San Francisco (SFO) often experience turbulence.

2. Northeastern Corridor

• Why Turbulent: This area frequently encounters strong jet streams, especially during the winter. Nor’easters and storms can add to the instability.
• Notable Routes: Flights between New York (JFK/LGA) and Boston (BOS), Washington D.C. (DCA/IAD), or Philadelphia (PHL).

3. Flights Over the Midwest

• Why Turbulent: Thunderstorms are common in the Midwest during spring and summer, leading to convective turbulence. Tornado-prone areas can also experience atmospheric instability.
• Notable Routes: Chicago (ORD/MDW) to Kansas City (MCI) or Minneapolis (MSP).

4. Southern US Flights

• Why Turbulent: Warm, moist air over the Gulf of Mexico combines with seasonal storms, leading to turbulence. Hurricanes during the summer and fall add to this risk.
• Notable Routes: Flights along the Gulf Coast, including Houston (IAH) to Miami (MIA).

5. West Coast Flights

• Why Turbulent: Winds coming off the Pacific Ocean combined with the Sierra Nevada and coastal mountains create turbulence, especially in the Bay Area and Southern California.
• Notable Routes: San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX) to Seattle (SEA) or Las Vegas (LAS).

6. Hawaiian Flights

• Why Turbulent: Flights to and from Hawaii cross the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where trade winds and storms can cause turbulence.
• Notable Routes: Flights from the mainland US (LAX, SFO) to Honolulu (HNL).

7. Alaskan Routes

• Why Turbulent: Mountainous terrain, strong winds, and storms in this region make flights to Alaska particularly bumpy.
• Notable Routes: Anchorage (ANC) to Seattle (SEA) or Fairbanks (FAI).

Tips for Managing Turbulence

• Seat Selection: Sitting over the wings (near the plane’s center of gravity) can reduce the sensation of turbulence.
• Flight Timing: Morning flights typically experience less turbulence due to more stable air.
• Preparation: Buckle up and stay informed about weather patterns before your flight.

Hopefully, your next flight will be turbulence-free. Most often, flying over the Atlantic Ocean, like we will in 46 days on March 1, results in a fair amount of turbulence. Oh dear.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 14, 2015: