Millions of airline passengers may soon experience smoother flights. A federal forecasting tool now provides pilots with a detailed view of turbulence almost in real time. The National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center has launched a system to help flight crews quickly identify rough air, allowing them to adjust routes or altitudes before passengers feel the effects.
New Technology in Action
The recently launched Graphical Turbulence Guidance Nowcast (GTGN) updates every 15 minutes. It combines aircraft observations with weather and atmospheric data to offer a comprehensive view of turbulent conditions. This new system aims to help pilots detect areas of turbulence not fully covered by traditional forecast models.
“The National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center (AWC) debuted a new turbulence tool to help make flights smoother,” the NWS stated on X.
The GTGN, available since July 30, provides data at altitudes from 100 feet to 50,000 feet. It complements existing turbulence forecasts with real-time updates, enhancing flight safety. The Federal Aviation Administration supports this project developed with the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.
Understanding Turbulence
Turbulence refers to irregular air movements causing aircraft to shake or change altitude unexpectedly. Although uncomfortable, modern commercial airplanes are built to endure more severe turbulence than typically encountered. The Federal Aviation Administration notes turbulence as a leading cause of in-flight injuries, especially when seat belts are not fastened.
Turbulence can arise from various sources. Thunderstorms cause strong convective turbulence, jet streams generate clear-air turbulence, and mountain ranges create turbulence as winds pass over peaks and ridges. These conditions can combine to create especially bumpy flights, particularly in areas with complex topography.
Notable Turbulent Regions
According to the turbulence-tracking platform Turbli, many of North America’s roughest flights occur in the western United States, where mountain ranges contribute significantly. Routes crossing the Rocky Mountains consistently rank high in turbulence.
Turbli uses the Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), an aviation standard for measuring turbulence intensity. It categorizes forecasts from Light to Extreme levels, with light conditions being relatively smooth and extreme involving rare, violent aircraft motions.
2025’s Most Turbulent Airports and Routes
America’s most turbulent airports in 2025 include:
- Denver, Colorado
- Bozeman, Montana
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Seattle, Washington
- Reno, Nevada
- Boise, Idaho
The route from Denver International Airport to Jackson Hole Airport ranks as North America’s most turbulent flight path for 2025. Other notable routes include Albuquerque to Denver and Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City. Despite the rough reputation, these routes generally experience light turbulence, according to industry standards.
Turbli’s top ten turbulent North American routes for 2025 are:
- Denver (DEN) to Jackson Hole (JAC)
- Albuquerque (ABQ) to Denver (DEN)
- Jackson Hole (JAC) to Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Denver (DEN) to Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Bozeman (BZN) to Denver (DEN)
- Las Vegas (LAS) to Reno (RNO)
- Boise (BOI) to Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Bozeman (BZN) to Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Denver (DEN) to Reno (RNO)
- Denver (DEN) to Albuquerque (ABQ)
Future Prospects
Demand for air travel remains high in the United States. TSA data shows millions passing through security regularly. Airlines and regulators are investing in new tools that reduce delays, avoid rough air, and improve the passenger experience. The GTGN represents progress in achieving smoother flights for millions each year.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Skinner and Dave Siminoff.
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