Climate Crisis Amplifies Turbulence Risks for Air Travel

A recent study conducted by researchers in England reveals that clear-air turbulence has become more prevalent in certain parts of the world between 1979 and 2020. The study found that severe turbulence over the North Atlantic, one of the busiest flight routes, increased by 55% from 17.7 hours in 1979 to 27.4 hours in 2020,”, while moderate and light turbulence also saw increases. The researchers attribute the rise in clear-air turbulence to warmer air caused by carbon dioxide emissions, which leads to increased wind shear in the jet streams. While turbulence is likely to increase with continued emissions, severe turbulence remains relatively rare, and the likelihood of encountering it is low. Passengers are advised to keep their seatbelts fastened as a precautionary measure.