Concerning reason why turbulence on planes is getting worse

I have some good and bad news for any frequent fliers out there.

The good news is that it's not just you that thinks there's more turbulence on planes; the bad news is what's causing the bumpier journeys.

Of course, turbulence is somewhat expected on a flight, but you're right if you think there's more of it now compared to previous years.

The American Geophysical Union has previously looked into this further and concluded that our skies are 55 percent bumpier in 2020 in comparison to 1979.

Mark Prosser, a meteorologist at the University of Reading who led the study, said of the research (released in 2023): "Turbulence makes flights bumpy and can occasionally be dangerous.

"Airlines will need to start thinking about how they will manage the increased turbulence, as it costs the industry $150 to $500 million annually in the United States alone. Every additional minute spent traveling through turbulence increases wear-and-tear on the aircraft, as well as the risk of injuries to passengers and flight attendants."

Clouds and thunderstorms can result in plane turbulence (Getty Stock)

According to the BBC, there are three difference causes of turbulence: clouds or thunderstorms (convective), air flow around mountainous areas (orographic), or changes in wind direction or speed (clear-air).

Clear-air is the hardest of the three to predict and, per its name, is 'essentially invisible to remote sensing tools used for aviation'.

Reportedly convective and clear-air turbulences are becoming increasingly more common. Why? Because of climate change.

In regards to thunderstorms and global warming, a warmer climate makes for more storms as a warmer atmosphere holds moisture. The combination of that moisture and hotter climes can go on to create intense thunderstorms.

Global warming is causing a rise in bumpy plane journeys (Getty Stock)

Meanwhile a 2023 study found that clear-air specifically is 'projected to intensify in response to future climate change'.

The links to climate change and clear-air turbulence again stem from warmer temperatures.

"Warmer air as a result of carbon dioxide emission is increasing wind shear in the jet streams, strengthening clear-air turbulence in the North Atlantic and globally," a press release issued at the time explained.

Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, further warned: "Following a decade of research showing that climate change will increase clear-air turbulence in the future, we now have evidence suggesting that the increase has already begun.

"We should be investing in improved turbulence forecasting and detection systems to prevent the rougher air from translating into bumpier flights in the coming decades."

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