Air turbulence has worsened due to climate change

Climate change will make air travel more extreme, according to an analysis by British researchers.

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According to their research, turbulence may become stronger and longer in the next few years.

“We ran computer simulations and found that strong turbulence could double or triple over the coming decades,” says Paul Williams, professor of meteorology at the University of Reading in the UK.

There are several types of turbulence and this is known as “clear air turbulence”, which is more frequent and stronger.

They occur by surprise without visual clues such as clouds or storms. Unlike normal turbulence, clear-air turbulence strikes suddenly and is difficult to avoid, CNN reports.

Researchers reassure: This doesn’t mean flying is any less safe.

“Airplanes don’t just start falling out of the sky, they’re built to very high specifications and they can withstand the worst turbulence,” the researcher said.

“Typically, when sailing across the Atlantic, turbulence lasts an average of ten minutes. I think in a few decades it will be down to 20 minutes or half an hour. The seat belt signal is activated almost all the time for passengers,” explains Paul Williams.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, in non-fatal crashes, turbulence is the leading cause of injury to flight attendants and passengers.

According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, injuries, delays and damage from turbulence cost US airlines up to $500 million annually.

easy

“There’s a bit of turbulence, it puts a bit of pressure on your seat belt, but food service can continue and you can probably walk around the cabin, maybe with some difficulty,” Paul Williams said.

moderate

“Then there is moderate turbulence, definite pressure on seat belts, anything anchored and difficulty walking; Flight attendants are usually asked to sit down.

Serious

“The worst kind is severe turbulence: it’s stronger than gravity, so you’re stuck in your seat and if you’re not wearing your seatbelt you’re thrown around inside the cabin. It’s turbulence that causes serious injuries, it causes fractures.

5000 is a major upheaval

About 65,000 flights experience moderate turbulence and about 5,500 experience severe turbulence each year in the United States.