Severe air turbulence on a recent Singapore Airlines flight has highlighted climate change’s impact on air travel safety. The incident caused one fatality and numerous injuries. This underscores the urgent need to understand the science behind air turbulence and its potential link to climate change.
Severe turbulence can turn passengers into projectiles. This causes panic and danger onboard. Turbulence can be triggered by various factors, explains atmospheric researcher Paul Williams. These include strong winds near airports, air flows over mountain ranges, or disturbances in jet streams.
Causes of Air Turbulence
It can occur due to a variety of atmospheric conditions. For instance, near the ground, turbulent winds during take-off and landing can jostle planes. Similarly, when flying through storm clouds or around mountainous regions, planes may encounter mild to severe turbulence caused by up- and downwards flows of air.
Williams also mentions that turbulence along jet streams outside of clouds, known as clear-air turbulence, poses risks to flights. Identifying the specific type of turbulence experienced by the Singapore Airlines flight requires further investigation.
Impact of Climate Change on Turbulence
Research indicates that climate change is exacerbating it globally. Studies have shown a significant increase in clear-air turbulence over recent decades. The strengthening of jet streams due to climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe episodes of turbulence during flights.
Climate change is making turbulence more frequent and severe, affirms atmospheric researcher Jung-Hoon Kim from Seoul National University.
In a study conducted by Williams and colleagues, it was projected that clear-air turbulence would become more intense with rising global temperatures. This escalation in turbulent conditions poses challenges for aviation safety and necessitates proactive measures to mitigate risks.
The Future of Air Travel Amidst Climate Challenges
Despite the projected increase in air turbulence intensity and frequency due to climate change, advancements in aviation technology continue to enhance flight safety measures. Understanding the evolving dynamics between climate change and air travel remains crucial for ensuring passenger well-being.
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