Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City International Airport
KSLCCurrent Weather
Cloud Forecast
About Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City experiences mountain wave turbulence from Wasatch Range. Winter inversions create fog in the valley.
Is Salt Lake City Airport turbulent?
Salt Lake City sits in a valley surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, creating mountain wave turbulence when winds are strong. The stable atmospheric layer between 12,000-18,000 feet is critical for wave formation. Winter brings snow and de-icing delays, while summer afternoon thunderstorms occasionally affect operations.
- Wasatch Mountains create mountain wave turbulence
- Stable layer at 12,000-18,000 feet critical for wave generation
- Winter brings significant snow requiring de-icing operations
How do the mountains affect Salt Lake City flights?
When strong winds blow perpendicular to the Wasatch Range, mountain waves form on the downwind side. These invisible oscillations can cause significant turbulence at altitude. Pilots familiar with the area know to expect bumps when conditions align. The effect is most pronounced during winter and spring when the jet stream passes over Utah.
When is the best time to fly from Salt Lake City?
Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the most stable conditions. Winter brings snow and occasional mountain wave activity. Summer afternoons can see thunderstorms develop over the mountains. Morning flights generally face fewer weather challenges year-round.
Upcoming Flights (next 2 hours) 32
| Flight | Destination | Departure | Aircraft | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DL1272
Delta Air Lines |
SJC | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1496
Delta Air Lines |
PHX | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2046
Delta Air Lines |
BZN | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1202
Delta Air Lines |
SAN | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL3721
Delta Air Lines |
EUG | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1723
Delta Air Lines |
MSO | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1614
Delta Air Lines |
ONT | 22:45 Local | -- | Forecast |
F91507
Frontier (Quin The Great Curassow Livery) |
LAS | 22:48 Local | airbus a321-271nx | Forecast |
DL2111
Delta Air Lines |
BOI | 22:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1197
Delta Air Lines |
LAX | 22:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1373
Delta Air Lines |
PDX | 22:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL3722
Delta Air Lines |
MFR | 22:50 Local | -- | Forecast |
|
F94252
Frontier |
DEN | 22:54 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1582
Delta Air Lines |
SMF | 22:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1466
Delta Air Lines |
GEG | 22:55 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL3756
Delta Air Lines |
RDM | 22:58 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL3797
Delta Air Lines |
OAK | 22:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1607
Delta Air Lines |
RNO | 22:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2998
Delta Air Lines |
SEA | 23:02 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1712
Delta Air Lines |
PSC | 23:05 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2040
Delta Air Lines |
MIA | 23:14 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1091
Delta Air Lines |
SFO | 23:15 Local | -- | Forecast |
WN446
Southwest Airlines |
AUS | 05:20 Local | boeing 737 max 8 | Forecast |
WN4289
Southwest Airlines |
BWI | 23:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL912
Delta Air Lines |
ATL | 23:35 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2038
Delta Air Lines |
EWR | 23:37 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2077
Delta Air Lines |
TPA | 23:40 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL696
Delta Air Lines |
BOS | 23:41 Local | -- | Forecast |
B672
Jetblue |
JFK | 23:50 Local | airbus a220-300 | Forecast |
DL2075
Delta Air Lines |
PHL | 23:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL2069
Delta Air Lines |
MCO | 23:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
UA726
United Airlines |
IAD | 23:59 Local | -- | Forecast |
DL1272
DL1496
DL2046
DL1202
DL3721
DL1723
DL1614
F91507
DL2111
DL1197
DL1373
DL3722
DL1582
DL1466
DL3756
DL3797
DL1607
DL2998
DL1712
DL2040
DL1091
WN446
WN4289
DL912
DL2038
DL2077
DL696
B672
DL2075
DL2069
UA726