Route turbulence forecast
Lima → Santiago
Turbulence forecast for flights from Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL).
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Get a segment-by-segment turbulence forecast for any scheduled flight from LIM to SCL, with live wind and pilot reports.
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What to expect on this route
Southbound · Great-circle bearing 166°
This is a short or low-latitude sector, so clear-air turbulence from upper-level jets is rare. The route crosses or passes near the Andes, which can generate mountain-wave turbulence downwind when upper-level winds are strong. At tropical latitudes, convective turbulence from thunderstorms is the main driver — pilots generally route around storm cells, but afternoon/evening flights encounter more build-up than morning departures.
- Mountain crossings
- Andes
- Ocean / water segments
- South Pacific
Seasonal turbulence pattern
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. At tropical latitudes, convective (thunderstorm-driven) turbulence dominates during regional wet seasons and monsoon cycles, typically worst in the afternoon and evening.
- Peak turbulence
- Regional wet season (varies by location)
- Typically calmest
- Dry season
LIM → SCL turbulence FAQ
Is the Lima to Santiago flight usually bumpy?
Most of the 2,462 km route sits in the tropical band with minimal jet-stream exposure. Historically that means most flights cruise in smooth air, with turbulence limited to short sectors near weather systems. Mountain-wave effects near the Andes add short bumpy stretches when upper-level winds are strong.
When is the best time to fly LIM to SCL for a smooth flight?
Statistically, Dry season 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 LIM to SCL?
Block time is usually around 3h 39m direct, cruising at approximately FL370 (37,000 ft). Actual duration varies with winds — tailwinds can shave 15–30 minutes, headwinds can add 30+ minutes on this southbound 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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