A study by scientists at the University of Reading in England showed that increased air temperatures over the years with climate change trigger the possibility of turbulence. In the study, using data from 1979-2020, it was determined that there was a parallel between the 30 percent increase in carbon dioxide density recorded between the current years and the increase in jet stream winds caused by extreme air temperatures.
According to the research, in the North Atlantic, which is one of the routes with the most flights in the world, the intense turbulence time, which was 17.7 hours per year in 1979, increased to 27.4 hours in 2020, increasing by approximately 55 percent. In moderate turbulences, this time increased from 70 hours to 96 hours, increasing by 37 percent. Turbulences on flight routes in Europe, the Middle East and the South Atlantic also increased at varying rates over the 41-year period.
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, a lecturer at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology Engineering, said that the temperature difference during airplane travel causes turbulence.
Toros stated that while a plane taking off from Istanbul to Adana in the morning passes over the Taurus Mountains, it may be exposed to shaking by contacting the hot air accumulated at the foot of the mountains, and this is a reflection of the current temperature difference.
“TURBULANCE IN THE ATMOSPHERE IS PART OF THE WEATHER”
Emphasizing that turbulence is one of the meteorological events just like rain and snow, Toros said, "The uneven heating of the Earth's surface creates air currents in the atmosphere. Wind distribution, temperature changes and weather conditions such as storms play an important role in the formation and intensity of turbulence."
Reminding that record temperatures have been reached in the world in recent years, Toros said, "More warming means more air movement. There is a link between turbulence and global warming. In recent years, there has been an increase in the intensity and frequency of turbulences due to the increase in temperatures. Global climate change directly affects turbulences."