Singapore Airlinesmade international news earlier this month whensevere turbulence left one person deadand more than 30 injured.
Several other incidents of severe turbulencein the news this weeks suggests that maybe turbulence really has gotten worse.
A review of recent research, though, shows thats not the case.
Photo: NurPhoto / Contributor (Getty Images)
So its not just that turbulence is happening more frequently.
Were also seeing more severe turbulence.
So expect bad turbulence to only get worse going forward.
Because then, if theres another and another, then audiences are primed for that.
It seems like a burgeoning trend.
So its some of both.
So if you fly over a thunderstorm, thats a little different.
That, of course, raises the question of how exactly climate change makes turbulence worse.
According to Knox, part of it can be attributed to warmer water and more humidity in the air.
Were adding more fuel to the fire for more thunderstorms, he said.
So if thats already happening, it seems like a slam dunk for the future.
Its a famous relationship in meteorology called the thermal wind law.
So thermal means temperature and wind means wind.
As this temperature gradient increases at cruising altitudes, what will happen is that the winds will get stronger.
And that leads to turbulence.
These are small-scale kinds of waves and instabilities that ultimately at the scale of a plane cause bumpiness.
And so youre flying through a turbulent region without knowing it.
And thats why you have clear-air turbulence.
After all, planes already have a proven technology for preventing most injuries due to extreme turbulence seatbelts.
So wherever you are, I think its likely to be more.
Now will this translate to more injuries and death?
Well, this is why.
We just have to have people realize that theyre not kidding when they say keep your seatbelt fastened.
Thats how you could die.
Its not exactly great news, but at least now you know youre not imagining things.
Also, wear your damn seatbelt, people.
This article originally appeared onJalopnik.
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