Turbulence Estimation

Overview

Nobody likes turbulence surprises. The turbulence badge on TCC's weather card gives you a heads-up about what to expect on your flight, based on a heuristic model that combines known turbulence hotspots along your route with current weather conditions.

How It Works

MileIntel's turbulence estimation analyzes two data sources:

Route hotspots — Certain geographic areas are known for turbulence: the Rocky Mountains, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), jet stream boundaries, and areas near major mountain ranges. MileIntel checks whether your flight path crosses these regions.Weather data — Current and forecasted weather conditions along your route, including convective activity (thunderstorms), wind shear reports, and jet stream positioning. Strong frontal systems and convective cells increase the turbulence estimate.

The model combines these inputs into a simple, readable badge.

What the Levels Mean

• Smooth — No significant turbulence expected. Standard seatbelt-on precaution applies.
• Light — Occasional bumps likely. You might feel it, but drinks stay in the glass. Common on most flights.
• Moderate — Noticeable turbulence expected on portions of the route. Items may shift. Walking around the cabin gets uncomfortable.
• Severe — Significant turbulence forecasted along parts of your route. Rare, but worth knowing about. Keep your seatbelt fastened.

Where You See It

The turbulence badge appears on the weather card in the Destination tab and as a small indicator on the FlightStatusHero card. The badge color matches the level: green (smooth), yellow (light), amber (moderate), red (severe).

Key Details

• This is a heuristic estimation, not a pilot report or official turbulence forecast. Think of it as an informed heads-up, not a guarantee.
• Estimates update as weather data refreshes — a "light" estimate in the morning could change to "moderate" by afternoon if storms develop.
• Turbulence along specific segments of the route is noted when possible (e.g., "moderate turbulence expected over the Rockies").

Tips

1. "Moderate" doesn't mean the whole flight will be bumpy. It usually means 10-20 minutes of rougher air over a specific zone.
2. If you're an anxious flier, check this before boarding. Knowing what to expect makes turbulence less stressful than being caught off guard.