US
AIRPORT
PHX
WORLD RANK
#21

Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

KPHX
1,312
Flights/Day
05:24
Local Time
Phoenix
Timezone
1,135ft
Elevation
Flying from Phoenix?

Get turbulence forecasts for your upcoming flight

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Current Weather
Current Conditions
KPHX
VFR
18°C
Partly Cloudy 4kt 1010.20"
Observed: 11:51 UTC
VFR — Visual Flight Rules: Clear conditions, no weather delays expected.
Cloud Forecast
12k 8k 4k 0
05:00
CLR
12:00
CLR
01:00
CLR
About Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix has intense summer thermal turbulence and monsoon haboobs. Morning flights are significantly smoother than afternoon departures.

Is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport turbulent?

Phoenix experiences some of the most intense thermal turbulence of any major airport due to extreme desert heat. Summer ground temperatures exceeding 150F create powerful updrafts that make afternoon flights notably bumpy at low altitude. Monsoon season (June-September) brings haboobs and microbursts that can rapidly deteriorate conditions. Pilots report Phoenix summer approaches are among the roughest in the US.

  • Haboobs can reach heights of 5,000-10,000 feet
  • Summer temperatures regularly limit aircraft takeoff weights
  • Monsoon microbursts create dangerous wind shear
What is a haboob?

A haboob is an intense dust storm caused by outflow winds from collapsing thunderstorm cells. Walls of dust several thousand feet high roll across the desert, reducing visibility to near zero within minutes. Phoenix experiences several major haboobs each monsoon season, typically in the late afternoon or evening when thunderstorms are most active. Flights may divert or hold until the dust settles.

When is flying from Phoenix smoothest?

November through April offers comfortable temperatures and minimal storm activity. Early morning flights year-round avoid the worst thermal turbulence that builds through the afternoon. Summer flying (June-September) is notably rough, with monsoon storms adding haboob and microburst risks to already bumpy thermal conditions. If flying in summer, depart before 9 AM.

Is turbulence at Phoenix dangerous?

No. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand forces far stronger than turbulence. While bumps can feel uncomfortable, they do not pose a safety risk. Pilots actively avoid rough air whenever possible. Learn more about turbulence

Best seats to reduce turbulence when flying from Phoenix?

Seats near the wings feel the least movement because they are closest to the aircraft's center of gravity. Seats at the back of the aircraft feel turbulence more strongly. Learn more about seat selection

Upcoming Flights (next 2 hours) 61
Flight Destination Departure Aircraft Forecast
WN2034
Southwest Airlines
BWI 05:30 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN3135
Southwest Airlines
DEN 05:30 Local boeing 737-8h4 Forecast
WN3151
Southwest Airlines
HOU 05:45 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
DL918
Delta Air Lines
ATL 06:00 Local airbus a321-211 Forecast
F91440
Frontier (Grizwald The Bear Livery)
SLC 06:00 Local airbus a320-251n Forecast
WN3135
Southwest Airlines
DEN 06:00 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN2916
Southwest Airlines
DAL 06:00 Local boeing 737-8h4 Forecast
F91100
Frontier (Joaquin The Kit Fox Livery)
ATL 06:00 Local airbus a320-251n Forecast
AA1595
American Airlines
CLT 06:00 Local airbus a321-211 Forecast
UA1678
United Airlines
SFO 06:05 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN3172
Southwest Airlines
MCI 06:05 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
AA2382
American Airlines
DFW 06:13 Local airbus a321-253nx Forecast
DL546
Delta Air Lines
JFK 06:15 Local airbus a321-271nx Forecast
WN680
Southwest Airlines
AUS 06:20 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
DL2444
Delta Air Lines
SEA 06:20 Local airbus a220-100 Forecast
5X5861
Ups
SDF 06:27 Local boeing 767-300f Forecast
WN3172
Southwest Airlines
MCI 06:30 Local boeing 737-7h4 Forecast
AA1165
American Airlines
ORD 06:30 Local boeing 737-823 Forecast
WN1729
Southwest Airlines
SMF 06:30 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
UA782
United Airlines
EWR 06:30 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
5X2861
Ups
SDF 06:30 Local boeing 767-34af(er) Forecast
A82850
Ameriflight
SOW 06:30 Local -- Forecast
WN2873
Southwest Airlines
OAK 06:40 Local boeing 737-8h4 Forecast
WN2659
Southwest Airlines
AUS 06:40 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN4286
Southwest Airlines
SJC 06:45 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
UA2354
United Airlines
DEN 06:45 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
A82118
Ameriflight
YUM 06:46 Local -- Forecast
A82132
Ameriflight
FHU 06:50 Local -- Forecast
WN3240
Southwest Airlines
STL 06:55 Local boeing 737-8h4 Forecast
DL1535
Delta Air Lines
SLC 06:55 Local airbus a321-271nx Forecast
WN2087
Southwest Airlines
MCO 06:55 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
UA662
United Airlines
LAX 07:00 Local boeing 737-824 Forecast
WN4153
Southwest Airlines
LAS 07:00 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
FX8775
Fedex Feeder
FLG 07:00 Local cessna super cargomaster Forecast
AN5001
Advanced Air
GUP 07:00 Local -- Forecast
AS605
Alaska Airlines (Honoring Those Who Serve Livery)
SEA 07:00 Local boeing 737-890 Forecast
UA5575
United Express
LAX 07:00 Local embraer e175ll Forecast
WN3151
Southwest Airlines
HOU 07:00 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
HA835
Hawaiian Airlines
HNL 07:00 Local airbus a330-243 Forecast
AS835
Alphasky
HNL 07:00 Local airbus a330-243 Forecast
5X2651
Ups
RFD 07:00 Local airbus a300f4-622r Forecast
WN4675
Southwest Airlines
SAN 07:00 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
F91376
Frontier (Ichabod The Whooping Crane Livery)
DEN 07:00 Local airbus a320-251n Forecast
WN650
Southwest Airlines
BWI 07:00 Local boeing 737-7h4 Forecast
DL947
Delta Air Lines
DTW 07:00 Local airbus a321-211 Forecast
AA6253
American Eagle
SEA 07:00 Local embraer e175lr Forecast
WN3172
Southwest Airlines
MCI 07:05 Local boeing 737-7h4 Forecast
AA2228
American Airlines
LAX 07:05 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN3094
Southwest Airlines
DAL 07:05 Local boeing 737-8h4 Forecast
AA636
American Airlines
JFK 07:08 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN3172
Southwest Airlines
MCI 07:10 Local boeing 737-7h4 Forecast
DL2553
Delta Air Lines
MSP 07:10 Local boeing 757-351 Forecast
5X2859
Ups
ONT 07:15 Local boeing 767-34af(er) Forecast
WN4286
Southwest Airlines
SJC 07:15 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
5X5917
Ups
SDF 07:15 Local boeing 767-34af(er) Forecast
DL2048
Delta Air Lines
LAX 07:15 Local airbus a319-114 Forecast
UA477
United Airlines
IAH 07:15 Local boeing 737 max 9 Forecast
FX820
Fedex
MEM 07:16 Local boeing 767-3s2f Forecast
FX3629
Fedex
IND 07:19 Local boeing 767-3s2f Forecast
AA636
American Airlines
JFK 07:20 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
WN2271
Southwest Airlines
DEN 07:20 Local boeing 737 max 8 Forecast
05:30
Local
PHX BWI
WN WN2034
boeing 737 max 8
05:30
Local
PHX DEN
WN WN3135
boeing 737-8h4
05:45
Local
PHX HOU
WN WN3151
boeing 737 max 8
06:00
Local
PHX ATL
DL DL918
airbus a321-211
06:00
Local
PHX SLC
F9 F91440
airbus a320-251n
06:00
Local
PHX DEN
WN WN3135
boeing 737 max 8
06:00
Local
PHX DAL
WN WN2916
boeing 737-8h4
06:00
Local
PHX ATL
F9 F91100
airbus a320-251n
06:00
Local
PHX CLT
AA AA1595
airbus a321-211
06:05
Local
PHX SFO
UA UA1678
boeing 737 max 8
06:05
Local
PHX MCI
WN WN3172
boeing 737 max 8
06:13
Local
PHX DFW
AA AA2382
airbus a321-253nx
06:15
Local
PHX JFK
DL DL546
airbus a321-271nx
06:20
Local
PHX AUS
WN WN680
boeing 737 max 8
06:20
Local
PHX SEA
DL DL2444
airbus a220-100
06:27
Local
PHX SDF
5X 5X5861
boeing 767-300f
06:30
Local
PHX MCI
WN WN3172
boeing 737-7h4
06:30
Local
PHX ORD
AA AA1165
boeing 737-823
06:30
Local
PHX SMF
WN WN1729
boeing 737 max 8
06:30
Local
PHX EWR
UA UA782
boeing 737 max 8
06:30
Local
PHX SDF
5X 5X2861
boeing 767-34af(er)
06:30
Local
PHX SOW
A82850
06:40
Local
PHX OAK
WN WN2873
boeing 737-8h4
06:40
Local
PHX AUS
WN WN2659
boeing 737 max 8
06:45
Local
PHX SJC
WN WN4286
boeing 737 max 8
06:45
Local
PHX DEN
UA UA2354
boeing 737 max 8
06:46
Local
PHX YUM
A82118
06:50
Local
PHX FHU
A82132
06:55
Local
PHX STL
WN WN3240
boeing 737-8h4
06:55
Local
PHX SLC
DL DL1535
airbus a321-271nx
06:55
Local
PHX MCO
WN WN2087
boeing 737 max 8
07:00
Local
PHX LAX
UA UA662
boeing 737-824
07:00
Local
PHX LAS
WN WN4153
boeing 737 max 8
07:00
Local
PHX FLG
FX FX8775
cessna super cargomaster
07:00
Local
PHX GUP
AN5001
07:00
Local
PHX SEA
AS AS605
boeing 737-890
07:00
Local
PHX LAX
UA UA5575
embraer e175ll
07:00
Local
PHX HOU
WN WN3151
boeing 737 max 8
07:00
Local
PHX HNL
HA HA835
airbus a330-243
07:00
Local
PHX HNL
AS AS835
airbus a330-243
07:00
Local
PHX RFD
5X 5X2651
airbus a300f4-622r
07:00
Local
PHX SAN
WN WN4675
boeing 737 max 8
07:00
Local
PHX DEN
F9 F91376
airbus a320-251n
07:00
Local
PHX BWI
WN WN650
boeing 737-7h4
07:00
Local
PHX DTW
DL DL947
airbus a321-211
07:00
Local
PHX SEA
AA AA6253
embraer e175lr
07:05
Local
PHX MCI
WN WN3172
boeing 737-7h4
07:05
Local
PHX LAX
AA AA2228
boeing 737 max 8
07:05
Local
PHX DAL
WN WN3094
boeing 737-8h4
07:08
Local
PHX JFK
AA AA636
boeing 737 max 8
07:10
Local
PHX MCI
WN WN3172
boeing 737-7h4
07:10
Local
PHX MSP
DL DL2553
boeing 757-351
07:15
Local
PHX ONT
5X 5X2859
boeing 767-34af(er)
07:15
Local
PHX SJC
WN WN4286
boeing 737 max 8
07:15
Local
PHX SDF
5X 5X5917
boeing 767-34af(er)
07:15
Local
PHX LAX
DL DL2048
airbus a319-114
07:15
Local
PHX IAH
UA UA477
boeing 737 max 9
07:16
Local
PHX MEM
FX FX820
boeing 767-3s2f
07:19
Local
PHX IND
FX FX3629
boeing 767-3s2f
07:20
Local
PHX JFK
AA AA636
boeing 737 max 8
07:20
Local
PHX DEN
WN WN2271
boeing 737 max 8