Turbulence forecast map: data and pilot guidance
Turbulence is the number one fear for anxious flyers. Unexpected bumps feel alarming. They are also completely safe for modern aircraft. Knowing what to expect before departure turns uncertainty into something you can sit with.
Turbulence forecast: what to expect along your route
A turbulence forecast estimates where uneven air may occur at a particular time and altitude. SkyBriefing combines WAFS turbulence data with an estimated flight route. Conditions can change, and the aircraft's actual route or cruising altitude may differ from the estimate. Use it to prepare for your flight, not as a guarantee of a smooth journey.
How the flight turbulence forecast worksTurbulence map: altitude, intensity and forecast time
The turbulence map shows forecast intensity using EDR (Eddy Dissipation Rate). SkyBriefing offers six flight levels: FL150, FL270, FL330, FL360, FL390 and FL420. A coloured area describes the forecast at the selected altitude and time, not every aircraft passing over that location. WAFS cycles are issued every six hours; check the displayed cycle and valid time when comparing forecasts.
WAFS data and the turbulence mapTurbulence tracker: a forecast, not live turbulence radar
People often call a flight forecast a turbulence tracker. SkyBriefing's weather layer is a model forecast, not a live measurement of every bump or a feed of reports from nearby aircraft. In-flight position tracking, where available, places your location against the forecast; it does not measure the turbulence around you. Always follow the crew's instructions and keep your seat belt fastened while seated.
What a turbulence forecast can and cannot tell youCreated by pilot and psychologist Alex Gervash
Alex Gervash created SkyBriefing to make aviation weather understandable for passengers. His flying experience and work with people who fear flying shape the explanations, alongside forecast data from the World Area Forecast System (WAFS). These are automated forecasts, not a personal review by a pilot of each flight.
Alex Gervash's experience and backgroundphobia.aero