Hello, and welcome to Flight Forecast. Today we’re talking about why your next flight could be a lot bumpier. Professor Paul Williams of the University of Reading has studied turbulence for more than a decade and warns that clear-air turbulence—those invisible jolts that catch pilots by surprise—has already increased by 55 percent since the 1970s. Clear-air turbulence isn’t caused by storms or clouds but by jet streams, fast rivers of air six to eight miles above us, where differing wind speeds create friction. Williams explains that climate change is disrupting these jet streams, worsening vertical wind shear. “This, of course, means a lot more turbulence in not that many years from now,” he told the European Geosciences Union conference. And it’s not just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous: one recent incident killed a passenger and injured more than 70 others. As global warming continues, expect rougher patches on key transatlantic routes. Stay seated and keep those seat belts fastened. Thanks for flying with Flight Forecast.
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