Home / Environment / Climate Change Fuels Deadly Air Turbulence
Climate Change Fuels Deadly Air Turbulence
17 Feb
Summary
- Extreme turbulence is projected to increase due to global warming.
- Flights to tropical destinations like Hawaii face higher risks.
- Increased turbulence may lead to more injuries and aircraft wear.
Scientists are warning that travel to popular island destinations may become more perilous due to escalating air turbulence. Global warming is altering atmospheric conditions, particularly the jet streams at cruising altitudes. This leads to more extreme turbulence, with projections suggesting a significant increase by the year 2100.
Recent events highlight the dangers, with multiple injuries reported on flights near Hawaii. These incidents involved sudden aircraft descents and severe impacts on passengers and crew. The types of turbulence include both visible convective turbulence, often associated with thunderstorms, and invisible clear-air turbulence (CAT).
Clear-air turbulence is of particular concern as it occurs without warning. Climate change exacerbates CAT by creating greater temperature disparities at high altitudes, strengthening jet streams and wind shear. This phenomenon is expected to impact busy flight routes over mid-latitudes and is also increasingly affecting subtropical regions like Hawaii.
Research indicates a potential 34 percent increase in air turbulence by 2100 under a worst-case emissions scenario. Even with reduced emissions, an 11 percent rise is projected. Experts advise passengers to keep seatbelts fastened at all times. Mitigating climate change by reducing global emissions is key to lessening future turbulence risks.
