Los Angeles International Airport turbulence forecast
Los Angeles, United States
LAX (Los Angeles, United States) sits at 33.94°N, 118.41°W, 125 ft elevation — coastal with the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada nearby.
About LAX
The busiest airport on the US West Coast and major hub for transpacific travel.
- Climate
- Subtropical coastal — mild winters, humid summers
- Nearby terrain
- Rocky Mountains · Sierra Nevada
- Geography
- Coastal — marine-influenced airmass
What to expect on departures
Computed from LAX's geography and climate
The jet stream meanders across this latitude seasonally — LAX sees its strongest CAT exposure in December–February, when the polar jet pushes equatorward and routes intersect it more often. June-onwards departures climb into cleaner upper-level flow. The Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada sit upwind of LAX on prevailing flow days, generating mountain-wave turbulence that can extend several hundred kilometres downwind at cruise level. The lee-wave risk is highest when December–February winds at FL300 cross the Rocky Mountains at near-perpendicular angles. Monsoon months pump moisture and instability into the local airmass — expect significantly more convective turbulence during the wet season at LAX, with much smoother cruise during dry-season operations. LAX's coastal position means departures often transit from the cool marine boundary layer into warmer continental air within minutes of takeoff — a brief but reliable bumpy transition on warm-season afternoons when the sea breeze is set up.
Climbout notes
Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) often route around terrain; on strong-wind days, low-level turbulence in the lee of the hills is common in the first few thousand feet.
Turbulence conditions
Transpacific routes from LAX cross the Pacific jet stream, which is strongest in winter. Eastbound flights to the US interior can encounter mountain-wave turbulence over the Rockies. Summer convective activity can affect short-haul routes.
Seasonal pattern
Winter (December–February) brings the strongest jet-stream activity — that's when long-haul departures most often log clear-air turbulence at cruise. Summer (June–August) is peak thunderstorm season — convective turbulence is the dominant warm-season risk. Mountain-wave activity near the Rocky Mountains peaks in the cold season when upper-level winds blow hardest across the range.
- Peak turbulence
- Monsoon months (varies by hemisphere)
- Typically calmest
- Dry season
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Popular routes from LAX
LAX turbulence FAQ
Is turbulence common on flights from LAX?
Los Angeles International Airport is best described as a mountain-wave sensitive airport. The jet stream meanders across this latitude seasonally — LAX sees its strongest CAT exposure in December–February, when the polar jet pushes equatorward and routes intersect it more often.
When is turbulence worst for Los Angeles flights?
Winter (December–February) brings the strongest jet-stream activity — that's when long-haul departures most often log clear-air turbulence at cruise. Peak turbulence window: Monsoon months (varies by hemisphere). Typically calmest: Dry season.
Does the terrain around Los Angeles affect turbulence?
Yes — the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada lie close enough to generate mountain-wave turbulence on days with strong upper-level winds. These waves can propagate hundreds of kilometres downwind, so they sometimes affect cruise even after you've left the immediate area.
How accurate are Turbcast forecasts?
We combine live NOAA Aviation Weather Center data (PIREPs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs) with physics-based Ellrod and Richardson-number calculations derived from Open-Meteo pressure-level wind and temperature data. If a source is unavailable for a waypoint we show an em dash rather than invent a number.
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