Understanding the Causes and Types of Air Turbulence

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Air turbulence can be attributed to the friction between airflow or wind flowing in different directions, causing air currents to move randomly. The two main types are clear air turbulence, which occurs around jet streams at high altitudes, and turbulence associated with cumulonimbus clouds, characterized by strong upwards and downwards air currents. Understanding the causes and types of air turbulence is crucial for mitigating its impact on aviation safety.

On Tuesday a British man died and several others were injured when their plane encountered severe turbulence between London and Singapore. And it looks like this kind of turbulence is something we’ll have to get used to. Last year a study found severe clear-air turbulence had increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020. Ian Sample speaks to Guy Gratton, associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, to find out why this is happening, and whether there’s anything we can do to reverse the trend.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod