When is the Sun Valley to Salt Lake City route most turbulent?

See the monthly chart above for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical and Caribbean routes peak during monsoon season (Jul–Sep).

What aircraft operates the SUN to SLC route?

The SUN–SLC route is typically operated by Embraer 175 · Bombardier CRJ. Airlines include SkyWest, Delta.

Is turbulence on SUN to SLC dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SUN–SLC route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my SUN to SLC flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the SUN–SLC route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

SUN to SLC Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Sun Valley to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?

The SUN–SLC route typically experiences moderate-severe turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SUN to SLC?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Embraer 175 · Bombardier CRJ, that's rows 12-18. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from SUN to SLC?

The SUN to SLC flight takes approximately 0h 48m, covering 220 miles (191 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 22,000 feet.

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

⚠️ moderate-severe turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SUN–SLC

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.

Sun Valley to Salt Lake City Flight Time

How long is the flight from SUN to SLC?

0h 48m

Flight Time

220 mi

Distance

22,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Embraer 175

Aircraft

The Sun Valley (SUN) to Salt Lake City (SLC) flight takes approximately 0h 48m, covering 220 miles (191 nautical miles) at 22,000 feet. The route is operated by SkyWest, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

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

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Fort Lauderdale → Salt Lake City

Severe

PDX → SLC

Portland → Salt Lake City

Severe

STL → SLC

St. Louis → Salt Lake City

Severe

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

The 0h 48m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · March

There was some noticeable movement over the mountains that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · July

A few bumpy patches crossing the ridge, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · July

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.

Data Sources

PIREP — Pilot reports (PIREPs) submitted via FAA/ICAO systems, aggregated over 12+ months of historical data
SIGMET / AIRMET — Significant Meteorological Information bulletins from NOAA Aviation Weather Center
EDR data — Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements from commercial aircraft (ADS-B derived turbulence intensity)
Seasonal patterns — 5-year rolling averages of turbulence frequency and intensity by month for this route

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data