Airplanes often encounter turbulence while flying.
According to a 2024 study referenced by BBC.com, aircrafts encounter moderate to "severe-or-greater" turbulence 68,000 times every year. This highlights the frequency with which significant air disturbances are a part of air travel. While not all turbulence is severe, encountering some level of turbulent air is a common experience during flights.
Understanding Turbulence
Turbulence is defined as "an irregular motion of the air". It is caused by eddies and vertical currents, leading to the bumpy ride passengers sometimes experience.
Several weather events and atmospheric conditions are typically associated with turbulence:
- Fronts: Boundaries between different air masses.
- Wind Shear: A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance.
- Thunderstorms: Powerful convective storms with strong updrafts and downdrafts.
These conditions can create unpredictable air movements that affect aircraft stability.
Encounter Frequency (Moderate to Severe)
Based on the 2024 study:
| Type of Turbulence | Approximate Annual Encounters (Aircraft) |
|---|---|
| Moderate to Severe/Greater | 68,000 |
This figure specifically refers to the more impactful levels of turbulence, demonstrating that even significant encounters are relatively frequent occurrences across the global aviation network.
Pilots and air traffic control use various tools, including weather radar and pilot reports, to anticipate and navigate around areas of predicted or reported turbulence, ensuring safety remains the top priority.
