Denver
Denver International Airport
KDENCurrent Weather
Cloud Forecast
About Denver International Airport
Denver experiences frequent mountain wave turbulence from Rocky Mountain winds. Consistently ranked among America's bumpiest airports.
Is Denver International Airport turbulent?
Denver is consistently ranked among the most turbulent airports in America due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when high-speed winds pass over the peaks and create powerful oscillating air currents on the eastern side. The airport experiences frequent bumpy approaches and departures, particularly when winds blow from the west.
- Four of the top five bumpiest US routes involve Denver
- Mountain waves can extend 100+ miles from the Rockies
- Microbursts from dry thunderstorms are common in summer
What causes mountain wave turbulence at Denver?
When winds exceed 25 knots and blow perpendicular to the Rocky Mountain ridgeline, air accelerates up and over the peaks, then plunges down the eastern slopes in powerful waves. These invisible ripples in the atmosphere can toss aircraft around unpredictably. Pilots describe it as hitting invisible speed bumps at altitude. The effect is strongest in winter and early spring when the jet stream passes over Colorado.
When is the smoothest time to fly from Denver?
Early morning flights before 9 AM typically offer calmer conditions before thermal activity begins. Summer afternoons are especially rough due to microbursts and wind shear along the Front Range. Late September through early November often provides a window of calmer weather between summer storms and winter jet stream patterns.
Upcoming Flights (next 2 hours) 121
| Flight | Destination | Departure | Aircraft | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WN4251
Southwest Airlines |
LIT | 10:45 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN4240
Southwest Airlines |
HDN | 10:45 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN2503
Southwest Airlines |
MKE | 10:45 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
F93804
Frontier (D&A The Hispaniolan Parakeets Livery) |
RSW | 10:45 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
WN4294
Southwest Airlines |
PHL | 10:50 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN2040
Southwest Airlines |
OKC | 10:50 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
UA5514
United Express |
HSV | 10:52 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
WN1981
Southwest Airlines |
ELP | 10:55 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN4472
Southwest Airlines |
MSP | 10:55 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN165
Southwest Airlines |
IAD | 10:55 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
F94721
Frontier (Adams The Green Salamander Livery) |
SLC | 10:55 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
WN2673
Southwest Airlines |
BOS | 11:00 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN3371
Southwest Airlines |
HOU | 11:00 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN3148
Southwest Airlines |
CLE | 11:00 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
F92360
Frontier (Weston The Woodpecker Livery) |
MSY | 11:00 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
WN2056
Southwest Airlines |
MTJ | 11:00 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN2474
Southwest Airlines |
DSM | 11:00 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
UA506
United Airlines |
CLE | 11:02 Local | boeing 737 max 9 | Forecast |
WN3286
Southwest Airlines |
PHX | 11:05 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
AA4663
American Eagle |
BIS | 11:05 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
WN159
Southwest Airlines |
CMH | 11:05 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA2111
United Airlines |
MEM | 11:05 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
WN737
Southwest Airlines |
BOS | 11:05 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
OO4716
Skywest Airlines |
MOT | 11:11 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA4789
United Express |
MFR | 11:15 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
UA2082
United Airlines |
RDM | 11:15 Local | airbus a319-132 | Forecast |
AC1074
Air Canada |
YUL | 11:15 Local | airbus a220-300 | Forecast |
UA5438
United Express |
MRY | 11:15 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA1547
United Airlines |
FCA | 11:15 Local | boeing 737-924(er) | Forecast |
UA2167
United Airlines |
RNO | 11:15 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA295
United Airlines |
GEG | 11:15 Local | airbus a320-232 | Forecast |
UA5040
United Express |
COD | 11:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA5113
United Express |
SGU | 11:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA2865
United Airlines |
ORD | 11:15 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
UA1294
United Airlines |
PSP | 11:15 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA4750
United Express |
GCC | 11:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA318
United Airlines |
EUG | 11:16 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1029
United Airlines |
YEG | 11:19 Local | airbus a320-232 | Forecast |
UA430
United Airlines |
ONT | 11:20 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
WN4262
Southwest Airlines |
PIT | 11:20 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
UA2154
United Airlines |
BUR | 11:20 Local | airbus a320-232 | Forecast |
OO5310
Skywest Airlines |
SAF | 11:20 Local | crj7 | Forecast |
UA5769
United Express |
ASE | 11:20 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA671
United Airlines |
SBA | 11:20 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1217
United Airlines |
DRO | 11:21 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1013
United Airlines |
LAX | 11:21 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
UA5310
United Express |
SAF | 11:22 Local | mitsubishi crj-550 | Forecast |
UA687
United Airlines |
IAD | 11:22 Local | boeing 737 max 9 | Forecast |
UA5506
United Express |
ACV | 11:22 Local | mitsubishi crj-701er | Forecast |
UA1378
United Airlines |
EGE | 11:23 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
KG3106
Denver Air Connection |
CEZ | 11:25 Local | swearingen metroliner | Forecast |
UA1125
United Airlines |
BOI | 11:25 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA4765
United Express |
SBP | 11:25 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA452
United Airlines |
SJD | 11:27 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA4701
United Express |
RDD | 11:28 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
F93138
Frontier (Mason The Texas Horned Lizard Livery) |
MIA | 11:28 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
UA1889
United Airlines |
GTF | 11:29 Local | airbus a319-131 | Forecast |
UA5554
United Express |
SUN | 11:30 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA4687
United Express |
CPR | 11:30 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA5343
United Express |
GUC | 11:30 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA5388
United Express |
HLN | 11:30 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
UA5253
United Express |
GTF | 11:30 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
KG4210
Denver Air Connection |
AIA | 11:30 Local | swearingen metroliner | Forecast |
WN462
Southwest Airlines |
OMA | 11:30 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA2368
United Airlines |
MSN | 11:30 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA4668
United Express |
BFL | 11:32 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA1686
United Airlines |
PHX | 11:33 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
UA221
United Airlines |
ELP | 11:34 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1714
United Airlines |
GJT | 11:34 Local | airbus a319-131 | Forecast |
UA1836
United Airlines |
MKE | 11:35 Local | a320 | Forecast |
UA1320
United Airlines |
SNA | 11:35 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
|
LF3350
Contour Aviation |
TSM | 11:35 Local | embraer erj-135lr | Forecast |
UA1180
United Airlines |
COS | 11:35 Local | a319 | Forecast |
|
LF3331
Contour Aviation |
CNY | 11:35 Local | embraer erj-135lr | Forecast |
WN2052
Southwest Airlines |
LAS | 11:35 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
UA5964
United Express |
BIH | 11:36 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
F9688
Frontier (Hops The Rabbit Livery) |
DCA | 11:37 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
AS684
Alaska Airlines |
PDX | 11:38 Local | boeing 737 max 9 | Forecast |
UA2459
United Airlines |
YYC | 11:42 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA741
United Airlines |
BZN | 11:43 Local | boeing 737-924(er) | Forecast |
DL995
Delta Air Lines |
ATL | 11:43 Local | airbus a321-211 | Forecast |
UA5412
United Express |
HSV | 11:45 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
UA2193
United Airlines |
JAC | 11:45 Local | airbus a320-232 | Forecast |
UA500
United Airlines |
IDA | 11:45 Local | airbus a319-131 | Forecast |
UA2432
United Airlines |
YVR | 11:46 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1233
United Airlines |
EWR | 11:49 Local | boeing 737-924(er) | Forecast |
UA1402
United Airlines |
ABQ | 11:50 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA5298
United Express |
PSC | 11:50 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA1415
United Airlines |
SMF | 11:50 Local | a319 | Forecast |
UA1599
United Airlines |
IAH | 11:50 Local | boeing 737-924(er) | Forecast |
KG4177
Denver Air Connection |
MCK | 11:50 Local | fairchild swearingen sa-227dc metro 23 | Forecast |
Y41761
Volaris |
GDL | 12:00 Local | airbus a320-233 | Forecast |
UA1758
United Airlines |
KOA | 12:00 Local | boeing 777-222 | Forecast |
WN1589
Southwest Airlines |
SAN | 12:00 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA2307
United Airlines |
LIH | 12:05 Local | boeing 757-224 | Forecast |
UA384
United Airlines |
HNL | 12:05 Local | boeing 777-222 | Forecast |
WN1522
Southwest Airlines |
MDW | 12:05 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN2320
Southwest Airlines |
SFO | 12:10 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA5051
United Express |
SHR | 12:10 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
WN482
Southwest Airlines |
LGA | 12:15 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
UA5077
United Express |
RIW | 12:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA1736
United Airlines |
OGG | 12:15 Local | boeing 777-222 | Forecast |
UA5054
United Express |
CYS | 12:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
WN863
Southwest Airlines |
OAK | 12:15 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA5116
United Express |
RKS | 12:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
OO5105
Skywest Airlines |
LBL | 12:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
UA5120
United Express |
EAR | 12:15 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
F91918
Frontier (Francie The Piping Plover Livery) |
CLE | 12:20 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
WN2438
Southwest Airlines (Colorado One Livery |
AUS | 12:20 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
UA5806
United Express |
ASE | 12:20 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
WN424
Southwest Airlines |
STL | 12:20 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
OO5032
Skywest Airlines |
RIW | 12:20 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
F91402
Frontier (Sonny The Lemon Shark Livery) |
BNA | 12:25 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
F94386
Frontier (Colorado The Bighorn Sheep Livery) |
CID | 12:30 Local | airbus a320-251n | Forecast |
DL4168
Delta Connection |
SEA | 12:30 Local | embraer e175lr | Forecast |
F94344
Frontier (Morrison The Crested Caracara Livery) |
XNA | 12:30 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
AA1274
American Airlines |
MIA | 12:33 Local | airbus a321-253nx | Forecast |
WN1484
Southwest Airlines |
LAS | 12:35 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN2520
Southwest Airlines |
BNA | 12:35 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
KG3583
Denver Air Connection |
ALS | 12:40 Local | embraer erj-140lr | Forecast |
WN3748
Southwest Airlines |
PNS | 12:40 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
WN4251
WN4240
WN2503
F93804
WN4294
WN2040
UA5514
WN1981
WN4472
WN165
F94721
WN2673
WN3371
WN3148
F92360
WN2056
WN2474
UA506
WN3286
AA4663
WN159
UA2111
WN737
OO4716
UA4789
UA2082
AC1074
UA5438
UA1547
UA2167
UA295
UA5040
UA5113
UA2865
UA1294
UA4750
UA318
UA1029
UA430
WN4262
UA2154
OO5310
UA5769
UA671
UA1217
UA1013
UA5310
UA687
UA5506
UA1378
KG3106
UA1125
UA4765
UA452
UA4701
F93138
UA1889
UA5554
UA4687
UA5343
UA5388
UA5253
KG4210
WN462
UA2368
UA4668
UA1686
UA221
UA1714
UA1836
UA1320
UA1180
WN2052
UA5964
F9688
AS684
UA2459
UA741
DL995
UA5412
UA2193
UA500
UA2432
UA1233
UA1402
UA5298
UA1415
UA1599
KG4177
Y41761
UA1758
WN1589
UA2307
UA384
WN1522
WN2320
UA5051
WN482
UA5077
UA1736
UA5054
WN863
UA5116
OO5105
UA5120
F91918
WN2438
UA5806
WN424
OO5032
F91402
F94386
DL4168
F94344
AA1274
WN1484
WN2520
KG3583
WN3748