Millions of airline passengers may soon experience smoother flights due to a new federal forecasting tool providing pilots with detailed, real-time turbulence information. Developed by the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Aviation Weather Center, this system helps flight crews quickly identify turbulence, allowing them to adjust routes or altitudes before passengers feel the effects.
Graphical Turbulence Guidance Nowcast
The Graphical Turbulence Guidance Nowcast (GTGN), launched on July 30, updates every 15 minutes. It combines aircraft observations with weather and atmospheric data, offering a detailed picture of turbulence. This tool improves pilots’ ability to detect areas of rough air that traditional forecast models might miss. The National Weather Service highlighted on social media the GTGN’s capacity to deliver more frequent and high-resolution turbulence data, supporting in-flight safety and decision-making.
The GTGN provides information across altitudes from 100 to 50,000 feet. It complements existing forecasts by offering near real-time updates during flight. Supported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the project was developed in collaboration with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA).
Understanding Turbulence
Turbulence consists of irregular air movements causing aircraft to shake or change altitude. Although uncomfortable, modern planes are built to withstand severe turbulence. The FAA cites turbulence as a leading cause of in-flight injuries, particularly when passengers or crew are not secured.
Different turbulence types affect flights. Thunderstorms produce strong convective turbulence, jet streams create clear-air turbulence invisible to radar, and mountain ranges generate turbulence as winds pass over terrain. These disturbances can occur independently or combine, causing bumpy flights, especially in regions with complex landscapes.
Regions with Frequent Turbulence
Turbli, a platform analyzing nearly 10,000 worldwide routes, identifies many turbulent flights in the western United States. Mountain ranges contribute significantly to this. Routes crossing the Rocky Mountains frequently experience turbulence.
Turbulence intensity is measured using the Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), ranging from Light (EDR 0-20) to Extreme (80-100). Light turbulence corresponds to smooth flying, while moderate turbulence may make cabin movement difficult. Severe turbulence leads to sudden altitude changes, and extreme turbulence, though rare, involves violent motions that risk structural damage.
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 Denver to Jackson Hole route ranks as North America’s most turbulent. Other notable routes are Albuquerque to Denver and Bozeman to Salt Lake City. Despite their reputation, these routes generally experience light turbulence on average.
Future Developments
Air travel demand remains high in the U.S., with millions passing through TSA checkpoints. As flying continues to grow, airlines and regulators focus on forecasting and safety tools to reduce delays, avoid turbulence, and improve passenger experiences.