Turbulence is getting worse as the planet warms, research shows, but that doesn’t necessarily mean fliers will experience more bumpy flights.
A spate of severe turbulence incidents, including on flights from London to Singapore and Doha to Dublin last month, are fueling heated debate about whether climate change is increasing the risk of bumpy flights.
A number of studies in top scientific publications have suggested a warming planet will create more turbulence. But experts say that doesn’t necessarily mean more fliers will encounter it. That’s because airlines — with the help of weather forecasters — are getting better at anticipating, and, in many cases, avoiding rough skies.
The science is complex and sometimes misunderstood — as one prominent atmospheric scientist discovered last month when his research was seized upon by climate skeptics.
The Washington Post spoke to a handful of the world’s top atmospheric experts to clear the air about turbulence and climate change. Here’s what to know.