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Route turbulence forecast

Buenos Aires Santiago

Turbulence forecast for flights from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL).

Mountain-wave sensitive route
Distance
1,138 km
615 nm
Typical duration
1h 58m
Ground-speed estimate
Cruise
FL340
34,000 ft
Jet stream
Moderate — partial jet exposure

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Get a segment-by-segment turbulence forecast for any scheduled flight from EZE to SCL, with live wind and pilot reports.

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What to expect on this route

Westbound (usually into prevailing winds) · Great-circle bearing -85°

The route crosses mid-latitudes where the polar jet can influence flight conditions, though exposure is shorter than on genuine long-haul crossings. The route crosses or passes near the Andes, which can generate mountain-wave turbulence downwind when upper-level winds are strong. Westbound aircraft typically fly against the prevailing winds, adding flight time. Captains often pick altitudes that avoid the strongest headwinds, which can also mean picking cleaner-air altitudes.

Mountain crossings
Andes
Ocean / water segments
South Atlantic · South Pacific

Seasonal turbulence pattern

The oceanic track sees its strongest jet-stream activity in the southern winter (Jun–Aug), when winds aloft are fastest and clear-air turbulence is more frequent. This corridor is most turbulent in the southern winter (Jun–Aug), when the jet stream is strongest and sits closer to the route. Wind flowing over the Andes can generate mountain-wave turbulence that extends hundreds of kilometres downwind — most pronounced in the southern winter (Jun–Aug), when upper-level winds are strongest.

Peak turbulence
June–August (Southern Hemisphere winter)
Typically calmest
Late spring to early autumn (Nov–Mar)

EZESCL turbulence FAQ

Is the Buenos Aires to Santiago flight usually bumpy?

Most of the 1,138 km route sits in the subtropical band with moderate jet-stream exposure. Historically that means occasional clear-air turbulence at cruise altitude is normal, especially in winter. Mountain-wave effects near the Andes add short bumpy stretches when upper-level winds are strong.

When is the best time to fly EZE to SCL for a smooth flight?

Statistically, Late spring to early autumn (Nov–Mar) sees the calmest conditions for this corridor. Within any season, morning departures see less convective (thunderstorm-driven) turbulence than afternoon flights.

How long is the flight from EZE to SCL?

Block time is usually around 1h 58m direct, cruising at approximately FL340 (34,000 ft). Actual duration varies with winds — tailwinds can shave 15–30 minutes, headwinds can add 30+ minutes on this westbound sector.

How accurate is Turbcast's forecast for this route?

We use live NOAA Aviation Weather Center pilot reports (PIREPs), SIGMETs and AIRMETs, layered with physics-based Ellrod and Richardson-number calculations 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 value.

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