Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport turbulence forecast
Sydney, Australia
SYD (Sydney, Australia) sits at 33.95°S, 151.18°E, 21 ft elevation — coastal with the Great Dividing Range nearby.
About SYD
Australia's busiest airport and primary international gateway.
- Climate
- Subtropical coastal — mild winters, humid summers
- Nearby terrain
- Great Dividing Range
- Geography
- Coastal — marine-influenced airmass
What to expect on departures
Computed from SYD's geography and climate
The jet stream meanders across this latitude seasonally — SYD sees its strongest CAT exposure in June–August, when the polar jet pushes equatorward and routes intersect it more often. December-onwards departures climb into cleaner upper-level flow. The Great Dividing Range sit upwind of SYD 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 June–August winds at FL300 cross the Great Dividing Range at near-perpendicular angles. Monsoon months pump moisture and instability into the local airmass — expect significantly more convective turbulence during the wet season at SYD, with much smoother cruise during dry-season operations. SYD'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
Southern Ocean routes can be turbulent due to strong westerly winds. Domestic routes across the Outback are generally smooth. Trans-Tasman flights may encounter variable conditions.
Seasonal pattern
Southern Hemisphere winter (June–August) is when the subtropical jet strengthens, and that's when long-haul CAT is most likely. Southern summer (December–February) is the main convective window. Mountain-wave activity near the Great Dividing Range 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 SYD
SYD turbulence FAQ
Is turbulence common on flights from SYD?
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is best described as a mountain-wave sensitive airport. The jet stream meanders across this latitude seasonally — SYD sees its strongest CAT exposure in June–August, when the polar jet pushes equatorward and routes intersect it more often.
When is turbulence worst for Sydney flights?
Southern Hemisphere winter (June–August) is when the subtropical jet strengthens, and that's when long-haul CAT is most likely. Peak turbulence window: Monsoon months (varies by hemisphere). Typically calmest: Dry season.
Does the terrain around Sydney affect turbulence?
Yes — the Great Dividing Range 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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