Author Topic: Is Global Warming Causing Aircraft Turbulence to Increase?  (Read 290 times)

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Offline rangerrebew

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Is Global Warming Causing Aircraft Turbulence to Increase?
6 hours ago Guest Blogger 7 Comments

After the turbulence encounter by a Singapore Airlines aircraft,  there has been a slew of articles claiming that severe turbulence incidents are rapidly increasing due to global warming.  The articles below in the Seattle Times and on the BBC are just two of hundreds of such stories
 
Several stories have been quite specific stating that turbulence has increased 55% in 50 years, based on a study by investigators at the University of Reading.
 
Is any of this true?   As I will describe below, there are substantial problems with these apocalyptic claims of radically more bumpy skies.

But before we discuss these turbulence claims, keep in mind that aircraft turbulence can be caused by several different mechanisms, and not all of them are related to changes in climate.

Much of the turbulence is due to convection associated with big cumulus clouds, like cumulonimbus, which produce thunderstorms. The turbulence on the Singapore Airlines flight was associated with tropical convection.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2024/05/29/is-global-warming-causing-aircraft-turbulence-to-increase/
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Offline rangerrebew

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Re: Is Global Warming Causing Aircraft Turbulence to Increase?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2024, 07:18:13 am »
I remember flying over the Intertropical Convergence Zone in the 70s and, believe it or not, there was turbulence even then. :whistle:
The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth.  George Washington - Farewell Address