US
AIRPORT
SLC
WORLD RANK
#92

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City International Airport

KSLC
462
Flights/Day
22:07
Local Time
Denver
Timezone
4,227ft
Elevation
Flying from Salt Lake City?

Get turbulence forecasts for your upcoming flight

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Current Weather
Current Conditions
KSLC
VFR
23°C
Few Clouds 7kt 1016.30"
Observed: 02:54 UTC
VFR — Visual Flight Rules: Clear conditions, no weather delays expected.
Cloud Forecast
12k 8k 4k 0
18:00
CLR
23:00
CLR
05:00
CLR
10:00
CLR
22:00
CLR
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.

Is turbulence at Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

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) 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)
+1 codeshare DL
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
+1 codeshare DL
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
+2 codeshares DL B
JFK 23:50 Local airbus a220-300 Forecast
DL2075
Delta Air Lines
PHL 23:59 Local -- Forecast
DL2069
Delta Air Lines
+1 codeshare F
MCO 23:59 Local -- Forecast
UA726
United Airlines
IAD 23:59 Local -- Forecast