Edmonton International Airport turbulence forecast
Edmonton, Canada
YEG (Edmonton, Canada) sits at 53.31°N, 113.58°W, 2,373 ft elevation — coastal with the Rocky Mountains nearby.
About YEG
Major airport serving Edmonton, Canada.
- Climate
- Subpolar — long winters, short cool summers
- Nearby terrain
- Rocky Mountains
- Geography
- Coastal — marine-influenced airmass
What to expect on departures
Computed from YEG's geography and climate
The 2,373 ft elevation puts YEG above most of the densest surface air, so initial climb is brisk but the airport itself sits inside any low-level turbulence patterns. The jet stream meanders across this latitude seasonally — YEG 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 sit upwind of YEG 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. YEG'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.
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. Mountain-wave activity near the Rocky Mountains peaks in the cold season when upper-level winds blow hardest across the range.
- Peak turbulence
- November–February (strong jet)
- Typically calmest
- May–September
Departing from YEG?
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YEG turbulence FAQ
Is turbulence common on flights from YEG?
Edmonton International Airport is best described as a mountain-wave sensitive airport. The 2,373 ft elevation puts YEG above most of the densest surface air, so initial climb is brisk but the airport itself sits inside any low-level turbulence patterns.
When is turbulence worst for Edmonton 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: November–February (strong jet). Typically calmest: May–September.
Does the terrain around Edmonton affect turbulence?
Yes — the Rocky Mountains 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.
Articles
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