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SUN to SLC Turbulence Forecast

Is the Sun Valley to Salt Lake City flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
SUN
→
SLC
Sun Valley · Salt Lake City · 0h 48m
8.1
Turb Score
0h 48m
Duration
191 nm
Distance
22,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
moderate-severe
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SUN–SLC

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h0h 48m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SUN–SLC route

The Sun Valley to Salt Lake City 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 SkyWest, Delta on Embraer 175 · Bombardier CRJ aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 22,000 feet over a distance of 220 miles (191 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SUN–SLC

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 SUN–SLC

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on SUN–SLC

Embraer 175

Front
Rows 1–11
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 12-18
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 19+
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

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

BOI → SLC
Boise → Salt Lake City
moderate
ASE → DEN
Aspen → Denver
Heavy
See all mountain routes →
All SUN routes→ All SLC routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sun Valley to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?
The SUN–SLC route typically experiences moderate-severe turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 8.1/100.
When is turbulence worst on SUN to SLC?
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 SUN to SLC?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer 175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12-18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SUN to SLC?
The SUN to SLC flight takes approximately 0h 48m, covering 220 miles (191 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SUN to SLC?
The main airlines operating this route are SkyWest, Delta, flying Embraer 175 · Bombardier CRJ aircraft.