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) 194
| Flight | Destination | Departure | Aircraft | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
F92015
Frontier |
LAS | 16:34 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1982
Southwest Airlines |
CMH | 16:35 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
OO4788
Skywest Airlines |
RAP | 16:35 Local | mitsubishi crj-200lr | Forecast |
WN1626
Southwest Airlines |
PHL | 16:35 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
WN1536
Southwest Airlines |
BHM | 16:35 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
WN4859
Southwest Airlines |
CLE | 16:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2270
Southwest Airlines |
BUF | 16:35 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
WN8811
Southwest Airlines |
SJC | 16:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
FI670
Icelandair |
KEF | 16:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3020
Southwest Airlines |
ICT | 16:40 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
WN1860
Southwest Airlines |
GRR | 16:40 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
SY656
Sun Country Airlines |
MSP | 16:41 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN449
Southwest Airlines |
RDU | 16:45 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
KG181
Denver Air Connection |
DEN | 16:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3150
Southwest Airlines |
BWI | 16:45 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA1131
United Airlines |
ORD | 16:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
CH1805
Bemidji Aviation |
TAD | 16:45 Local | beech u-8f seminole | Forecast |
WN4464
Southwest Airlines |
IND | 16:45 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
AM445
Aeromexico |
MEX | 16:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
SY8238
Sun Country Airlines |
IFP | 16:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5080
United Airlines |
DIK | 16:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
LF3198
Contour Aviation |
CNM | 16:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3605
Southwest Airlines |
RNO | 16:50 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
WN3718
Southwest Airlines |
PDX | 16:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
5X9763
Ups |
LGB | 16:54 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN140
Southwest Airlines |
STL | 16:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
LF6337
Contour Airlines |
CNY | 16:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2070
United Airlines |
SFO | 16:56 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
F91874
Frontier |
OMA | 16:58 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5771
Skywest Airlines |
ASE | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I439
Netjets Aviation |
QDH | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
5A1814
Alpine Air Express |
DRO | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG5418
Key Lime Air |
CVN | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA6087
United Airlines |
SLC | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA3932
United Airlines |
BOI | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
F94070
Frontier |
DFW | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA8
United Airlines |
ANC | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
TK6883
Turkish Airlines |
IST | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
8C4375
Ati |
SEA | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I575
Netjets |
LNK | 17:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
AA7846
American Airlines |
AZA | 17:03 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I259
Netjets Aviation |
BED | 17:03 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN4876
Southwest Airlines |
SRQ | 17:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2592
Southwest Airlines |
ABQ | 17:05 Local | boeing 737-7bd | Forecast |
|
CH1701
Bemidji Aviation |
ALS | 17:05 Local | beech c99 airliner | Forecast |
WN2097
Southwest Airlines |
LGA | 17:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I887
Netjets Aviation |
EGE | 17:06 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
Y41763
Volaris |
GDL | 17:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1587
United Airlines |
IAH | 17:18 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1545
Southwest Airlines |
HOU | 17:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1292
United Airlines |
PSP | 17:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2338
United Airlines |
LAS | 17:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
5A1856
Alpine Air Express |
RWL | 17:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
F92360
Frontier |
MSY | 17:23 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN761
Southwest Airlines |
BNA | 17:25 Local | boeing 737-8h4 | Forecast |
UA1534
United Airlines |
RIC | 17:25 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA5282
United Airlines |
MAF | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2473
United Airlines |
TYS | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1282
United Airlines |
LIT | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5750
Skywest Airlines |
HOB | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2240
United Airlines |
LAX | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1110
United Airlines |
SAT | 17:25 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
WN2689
Southwest Airlines |
RNO | 17:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA4638
United Airlines |
PIA | 17:27 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA645
United Airlines |
FSD | 17:28 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5797
United Airlines |
COU | 17:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA464
United Airlines |
SNA | 17:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG
Denver Air Connection |
GXY | 17:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2764
United Airlines |
MIA | 17:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2091
Southwest Airlines |
BUR | 17:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1184
United Airlines |
OKC | 17:31 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5235
United Express |
DAY | 17:31 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
UA5527
United Airlines |
YWG | 17:33 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5622
United Airlines |
LNK | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5580
United Express |
RAP | 17:35 Local | mitsubishi crj-550 | Forecast |
WN1921
Southwest Airlines |
LGB | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA27
United Airlines |
LHR | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1604
Southwest Airlines |
MDW | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA4665
United Airlines |
BIS | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1856
Southwest Airlines |
ECP | 17:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
EJM200
Executive Jet Management |
SJC | 17:36 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2324
United Airlines |
CID | 17:37 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5512
United Airlines |
MLI | 17:38 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5815
United Express |
BHM | 17:38 Local | embraer e175ll | Forecast |
|
F91292
Frontier |
MSP | 17:38 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1961
United Airlines |
TPA | 17:39 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1790
United Airlines |
CLE | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
LH447
Lufthansa |
FRA | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5028
United Airlines |
BFF | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
AF59
Air France |
CDG | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA4774
United Airlines |
MKE | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5477
Skywest Airlines |
CPR | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
FI
Icelandair |
KEF | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN4480
Southwest Airlines |
LGA | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
LF3393
Contour Aviation |
VEL | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA549
United Airlines |
DSM | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1204
United Airlines |
ATW | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3094
Southwest Airlines |
ANC | 17:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA783
United Airlines |
MEX | 17:42 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1412
United Airlines |
ALB | 17:42 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
G4214
Allegiant Air |
ABE | 17:42 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1048
United Airlines |
ICT | 17:44 Local | boeing 737-824 | Forecast |
UA1422
United Airlines |
STL | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5191
United Airlines |
TUS | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA177
United Airlines |
FCO | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
5A1813
Alpine Air Express |
DRO | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5356
United Airlines |
HSV | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1374
United Airlines |
FLL | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
5A1827
Alpine Air Express |
CYS | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
LXJ377
Flexjet |
DVT | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN247
Southwest Airlines |
OAK | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5762
United Airlines |
SLC | 17:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1220
United Airlines |
DTW | 17:47 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5879
United Airlines |
SHV | 17:48 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1305
United Airlines |
ATL | 17:48 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1669
United Airlines |
MCI | 17:48 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA5237
United Airlines |
MOT | 17:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2155
United Airlines |
PIT | 17:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
ST40
Air Thanlwin |
GTF | 17:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2613
United Airlines |
EWR | 17:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1894
United Airlines |
MSN | 17:51 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA259
United Airlines |
MCO | 17:52 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1199
United Airlines |
IND | 17:53 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
Y47861
Volaris |
CUU | 17:53 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA709
United Airlines |
BWI | 17:53 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1510
United Airlines |
PHL | 17:54 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5861
Skywest Airlines |
COS | 17:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA680
United Airlines |
ORF | 17:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG4804
Key Lime Air |
PUB | 17:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
AS679
Alaska Airlines (Honoring Those Who Serve Livery) |
PDX | 17:58 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1293
United Airlines |
SDF | 17:58 Local | airbus a319-131 | Forecast |
UA1126
United Airlines |
FAR | 17:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
F92148
Frontier |
DFW | 17:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
8C6708
Ati |
ONT | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO6105
Skywest Airlines |
EUG | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN8700
Southwest Airlines |
PAE | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL8849
Delta Air Lines |
YEG | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I576
Netjets Aviation |
SCF | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA3021
United Airlines |
MCO | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
CNK66
Sunwest Aviation |
AUS | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1953
Southwest Airlines |
MKE | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2866
Southwest Airlines |
STL | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2408
United Airlines |
IAD | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG977
Key Lime Air |
PHX | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1962
Southwest Airlines |
MSY | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3471
Southwest Airlines |
HOU | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN4204
Southwest Airlines |
SEA | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2920
Southwest Airlines |
MCI | 18:00 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1123
Southwest Airlines |
SAN | 18:00 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
F93396
Frontier (Martillo The Bonnethead Shark Livery) |
DFW | 18:01 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
WN2120
Southwest Airlines |
TUS | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1840
Southwest Airlines |
MDW | 18:05 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
UA1436
United Airlines |
OMA | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA2350
United Airlines |
SYR | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2071
Southwest Airlines |
SFO | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3216
Southwest Airlines |
ICT | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3531
Southwest Airlines |
OAK | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL8848
Delta Air Lines |
LAX | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3296
Southwest Airlines |
FLL | 18:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA1134
United Airlines |
DAY | 18:06 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA514
United Airlines |
SDF | 18:08 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I519
Netjets Aviation |
APA | 18:09 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA5886
United Airlines |
SGF | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN3589
Southwest Airlines |
HDN | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
AC1038
Air Canada |
YYZ | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2001
Southwest Airlines |
PHL | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA730
United Airlines |
BNA | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN333
Southwest Airlines |
DTW | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN435
Southwest Airlines |
MTJ | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN4174
Southwest Airlines |
BUR | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1915
Southwest Airlines |
LBB | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1661
Southwest Airlines |
CLE | 18:10 Local | -- | Forecast |
SY3042
Sun Country Airlines |
AFW | 18:14 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I580
Netjets Aviation |
PBI | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2038
Southwest Airlines |
RDU | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
1I361
Netjets Aviation |
FAR | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
LF5331
Contour Airlines |
CNY | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG733
Key Lime Air |
MKG | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN651
Southwest Airlines |
RSW | 18:15 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
|
LXJ356
Flexjet |
MMU | 18:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5031
Skywest Airlines |
LAR | 18:16 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG864
Key Lime Air |
GLH | 18:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1893
Southwest Airlines |
IND | 18:20 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA4637
United Airlines |
PIA | 18:25 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN4503
Southwest Airlines |
COS | 18:25 Local | boeing 737-7h4 | Forecast |
OO5210
Skywest Airlines |
DVL | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2343
Southwest Airlines |
SNA | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1472
Southwest Airlines |
ATL | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA3877
United Airlines |
IAB | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
KG646
Key Lime Air |
CDR | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN2390
Southwest Airlines |
ABQ | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN8526
Southwest Airlines |
BOI | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
OO5207
Skywest Airlines |
LIT | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1499
Southwest Airlines |
BWI | 18:30 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN1982
OO4788
WN1626
WN1536
WN4859
WN2270
WN8811
FI670
WN3020
WN1860
SY656
WN449
KG181
WN3150
UA1131
WN4464
AM445
SY8238
UA5080
WN3605
WN3718
WN140
UA2070
OO5771
KG5418
UA6087
UA3932
UA8
TK6883
AA7846
WN4876
WN2592
WN2097
UA1587
WN1545
UA1292
UA2338
WN761
UA1534
UA5282
UA2473
UA1282
OO5750
UA2240
UA1110
WN2689
UA4638
UA645
UA5797
UA464
KG
UA2764
WN2091
UA1184
UA5235
UA5527
UA5622
UA5580
WN1921
UA27
WN1604
UA4665
WN1856
UA2324
UA5512
UA5815
UA1961
UA1790
LH447
UA5028
AF59
UA4774
OO5477
FI
WN4480
UA549
UA1204
WN3094
UA783
UA1412
UA1048
UA1422
UA5191
UA177
UA5356
UA1374
WN247
UA5762
UA1220
UA5879
UA1305
UA1669
UA5237
UA2155
ST40
UA2613
UA1894
UA259
UA1199
UA709
UA1510
OO5861
UA680
KG4804
AS679
UA1293
UA1126
OO6105
WN8700
DL8849
UA3021
WN1953
WN2866
UA2408
KG977
WN1962
WN3471
WN4204
WN2920
WN1123
F93396
WN2120
WN1840
UA1436
UA2350
WN2071
WN3216
WN3531
DL8848
WN3296
UA1134
UA514
UA5886
WN3589
AC1038
WN2001
UA730
WN333
WN435
WN4174
WN1915
WN1661
SY3042
WN2038
KG733
WN651
OO5031
KG864
WN1893
UA4637
WN4503
OO5210
WN2343
WN1472
UA3877
KG646
WN2390
WN8526
OO5207
WN1499