Buzz
Written by Joe Shelton
The term "turbulence" often gets misunderstood.
Turbulence, much like the wind, isn't simply an on or off situation; it's a range of intensities.
One day you might step outside and barely feel a breeze, while the next, the wind might be so fierce it threatens to blow your hat off. Yet, most days, the wind falls somewhere in between those extremes.
Turbulence is much the same. Some days, it's calm with no turbulence at all. Other times, it may shake you up (or make you feel uneasy). But typically, when turbulence occurs, it's either mild or at most a minor inconvenience.
How do pilots detect turbulence?
Weather predictions can give an indication of when turbulence might happen. However, it's important to keep in mind that a forecast is just that: a prediction. It doesn't guarantee turbulence, nor does the absence of turbulence in a forecast ensure that it won't occur.
Turbulence can be both widespread and localized, affecting different areas in varying ways.
I usually recognize or anticipate significant or widespread turbulence, as well as local disturbances, in one of three ways:
- Cumulus clouds: Tall, vertical clouds that are growing rapidly often indicate turbulence. The taller the clouds and the faster they grow, the more severe the turbulence. A thunderstorm is the worst example, where the turbulence inside can be powerful enough to damage an aircraft.
- Hot days: Also known as convection, hot weather causes air to rise, while cooler air sinks, leading to turbulence. Depending on the temperature and altitude of the aircraft, this turbulence can range from a minor inconvenience to a major discomfort.
- Wind: Wind can create turbulence, especially when blowing over mountains, and this effect can extend for miles. Winds often rise over the upwind side of mountains, leading to turbulence even above the mountains themselves.
Generally, turbulence isn't considered dangerous, especially for aircraft. Pilots are trained to handle turbulence, often by adjusting airspeed or altitude to minimize its impact.
However, clear-air turbulence (CAT)—which occurs in seemingly calm, clear skies—can lead to injuries, particularly to passengers who aren't secured in their seats or those walking around. CAT is notoriously difficult to predict until it occurs.
(Just so you know, clear-air turbulence earned its name because it occurs in clear skies, without the typical clouds that accompany most turbulence, which is how it got its name.)
This article was first published on Quora. To read the full post, click here.
