What is turbulence radar?
Turbulence radar refers to systems that detect and display areas of rough air. Unlike precipitation radar (which shows rain and clouds), turbulence radar uses wind data, temperature gradients, and pilot reports to identify clear-air turbulence (CAT) — which is invisible to standard radar. The TurboTrack app combines multiple data sources: real-time PIREPs, SIGMET weather alerts, EDR (eddy dissipation rate) measurements from commercial aircraft, and machine learning forecasts.
How do you read a turbulence forecast map?
A turbulence map shows intensity by color: green = light, yellow = moderate, orange = severe, red = extreme. Areas along the jet stream — typically at 30,000–39,000 ft — are the most active. Mountain ranges (Rockies, Andes, Alps) show persistent turbulence zones. Convective areas (thunderstorms) show as rapidly-changing red patches. The TurboTrack app updates every 15 minutes with new PIREP data.
Can turbulence radar predict clear-air turbulence?
Standard aircraft weather radar cannot detect clear-air turbulence (CAT) because there are no water droplets to reflect the radar signal. CAT is predicted using numerical weather models, wind shear calculations, and reports from aircraft that have flown through the area. The TurboTrack app aggregates thousands of PIREPs daily to give you an accurate picture of where CAT is occurring right now.
Is turbulence radar available for free?
Yes — TurboTrack offers a free turbulence radar view for any route in the app. The free version includes route-level turbulence scores and historical patterns. Premium features include live PIREP maps, SIGMET overlays, and AI-powered flight-specific forecasts.