What does the term “turbulence” mean?
Turbulence happens when the flow of air suddenly becomes uneven and chaotic. This can be caused by swirling air patterns called eddies and up-and-down air movements. Things like thunderstorms, thick clouds, and mountains can all create these conditions.
A swirling air pattern refers to the circular or spiral movement of air. This can cause the air to move in unpredictable ways, creating turbulence.
When an airplane encounters turbulence, it can abruptly drop in altitude, much like how a car dips when it hits a pothole. Just like hitting a pothole can make a car ride feel bumpy, encountering turbulence in an airplane can make the flight feel rough. How bumpy it gets depends on how strong the turbulence is.
Most of the time, turbulence is mild, and pilots follow specific procedures or protocols to avoid it when they can. They often fly at higher altitudes and use weather reports, forecasts, and in-flight radar to identify and steer clear of turbulent areas. Additionally, pilots can visually spot storms through the large front windows of the plane.
In the context of avoiding turbulence, “high altitudes” generally refers to flight levels above 30,000 feet (about 9,144 meters) where commercial airplanes typically cruise. At these heights, the air is usually more stable, which helps in reducing the chances of encountering turbulence.
One type of turbulence that can’t be detected by weather radars is clear-air turbulence (CAT). This often occurs in jet streams where cold and warm air meet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers it “especially troublesome” because it happens suddenly and without any visual warning.
Jet streams are fast-moving air currents high in the atmosphere. Clear-air turbulence (CAT) often occurs in these jet streams when cold and warm air masses collide. The difference in temperature and speed between these air masses creates sudden, unpredictable air movements, causing turbulence that can’t be seen or detected by radar.
Is it risky to fly when it’s turbulent ?
Before taking off, many airlines suggest that passengers always keep their seatbelts fastened and ensure their bags are safely stored due to possible turbulence. This is because when a plane suddenly drops in altitude during turbulence, the quick movement impacts or affects you and your belongings more than gravity does.
Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, explained to the New York Times, as reported by IFLSCIENCE, that if you’re not wearing a seatbelt, you can be thrown around during turbulence. Essentially, you could be launched out of your seat like a projectile.
This can lead to injuries for both yourself and others around you, especially when you fall back down.
While this can have serious consequences, as shown by the recent Singapore Airlines incident, turbulence-related deaths and injuries are very rare. The FAA reports that from 2009 to 2022, there were only 163 serious injuries due to turbulence, with the highest number in a single year being 18.
Is turbulence happening more often?
Some scientists believe that turbulence, especially clear-air turbulence (CAT), will become more common due to climate change. One study even suggests that this increase has already started.
A team from the University of Reading, including Paul Williams, studied global trends in clear-air turbulence (CAT) over 40 years. According to their research, reported by IFLSCIENCE, severe CAT in the North Atlantic had increased by 55 percent by 2020 compared to 1979.
The researchers concluded that this increase matches the effects of climate change on jet streams. Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the atmosphere, and climate change can make them stronger and more unpredictable. According to recent comments from Williams, this means turbulence could become even more frequent in the future.
The atmospheric scientist explained that their latest projections suggest severe turbulence in jet streams could double or triple in the coming decades if climate change continues as expected.
In that case, it’s probably best to keep your seatbelt fastened.
(Views expressed in the article are of author’s own and do not reflected the editorial stance of Business Upturn)
