About TurbCast

What is TurbCast?

TurbCast is a turbulence forecast tool designed for curious or nervous flyers. It provides detailed turbulence predictions for flights up to 36 hours in advance, using real weather data from NOAA/NWS and other authoritative sources.

How It Works

1. Enter Your Flight Details

Provide your departure and arrival airports, along with your departure time.

2. We Calculate Your Route

Our system determines the most likely flight path using Great Circle calculations.

3. Weather Data Analysis

We fetch the latest WAFS turbulence forecasts from NOAA and process them for your specific route and altitude.

4. Aircraft-Specific Forecast

Turbulence is experienced differently based on aircraft size. We adjust predictions for your aircraft type.

Data Sources

Turbulence: NOAA/NWS World Area Forecast System (WAFS) - Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) forecasts
Wind: NOAA Global Forecast System (GFS) wind components
Thunderstorms: Met Office WAFC Cumulonimbus (CB) cloud forecasts
Flight Data: AviationStack real-time flight information

Understanding Turbulence Levels

Smooth: No turbulence felt

Light: Slight, erratic changes in altitude. Items may move slightly.

Moderate: Noticeable changes in altitude. Unsecured objects move around.

Severe: Large, abrupt changes in altitude. Difficult to walk. Objects tossed about.

Extreme: Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Very rare.

Important Disclaimer

Turbulence forecasts are for informational purposes only and should not replace official airline guidance or pilot judgment. Weather conditions can change rapidly. Always follow the instructions of your flight crew and keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.