Severe turbulence to increase due to climate change
Climate change will raise the amount of severe turbulence experienced on aeroplanes by 2050 to 2080, according to a study by the University of Reading. For aircraft cruising around 39,000 ft, it suggests potential increases of 181% over the North Atlantic, 161% over Europe, 113% over North America, 92% over the North Pacific, and 64% over Asia. Severe turbulence, large and abrupt changes to altitude, causes hundreds of passenger injuries annually and is a well-known risk for flight attendants. Lead researcher, Professor Paul Williams, said the study "highlighted the need to develop better turbulence forecasts". 

Climate change is set to increase the amount of severe turbulence on planes by 2050 to 2080, according to a study.

Researchers at the University of Reading in England analyzed supercomputer simulations of the future atmosphere, focusing on clear air turbulence. As it is invisible, clear air turbulence is seen as being especially problematic.

For nervous fliers, the numbers contained within the research do not make for comfortable reading.

The study projects that severe turbulence at a typical cruising altitude of 39,000 feet is set to rise by roughly 181 percent over the North Atlantic; 161 percent over Europe; 113 percent over North America; 92 percent over the North Pacific; and 64 percent over Asia.

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) describes severe turbulence as being characterized by large and abrupt changes in altitude or attitude (relating to an aircraft's orientation), as well as "large variation in indicated airspeed." During severe turbulence, an aircraft "may be temporarily out of control," the CASA adds.