Weather Watch: Climate Change Impact on Air Turbulence
Climate change is affecting air travel globally, with travelers facing increasingly bumpy journeys.
Research shows that severe turbulence episodes over the North Atlantic have increased by over 50% since the late 1970s.
- Climate change warms sub-tropical and tropical air masses more than arctic and polar air masses.
- Sharper temperature and density contrasts between air masses create increased friction and instability.
- Pressure changes in the atmosphere intensify jet streams, leading to more turbulence.
The changes have affected flight paths worldwide, with the trend expected to accelerate in future decades.
Investigations have shown that over the North Atlantic alone, episodes of severe turbulence have increased by more than 50 per cent since the late 1970s
Author's summary: Climate change increases air turbulence.