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SLC to LAS Turbulence Forecast

Is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
SLC
→
LAS
Salt Lake City · Las Vegas · 1h 17m
7.8
Turb Score
1h 17m
Duration
368 nm
Distance
28,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SLC–LAS

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 17m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SLC–LAS route

The Salt Lake City to Las Vegas route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Southwest, Delta, United on Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 423 miles (368 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Turbulence levels on SLC–LAS

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm
LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady
ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause
HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly SLC–LAS

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on SLC–LAS

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–14
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 15-22
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 23+
Rougher
Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

SLC to LAS turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAS → SLC
Las Vegas → Salt Lake City
moderate
RNO → LAS
Reno → Las Vegas
moderate
LAX → LAS
Los Angeles → Las Vegas
Smooth
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All SLC routes→ All LAS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Salt Lake City to Las Vegas flight turbulent?
The SLC–LAS route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 7.8/100.
When is turbulence worst on SLC to LAS?
Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on SLC to LAS?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 15-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SLC to LAS?
The SLC to LAS flight takes approximately 1h 17m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SLC to LAS?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, Delta, United, flying Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 aircraft.