Hello everyone, welcome back to the Aviation Chronicles page!
Apologies for the delayed post, but we’re back!
Today’s blog, as the title suggests, will be all about Turbulence. The following topic will be divided into 2 different blog posts - one which you are reading now and the next one coming soon.
There are 4 types of Turbulences:
1. Clear Air
2. Thermal
3. Mechanical
4. Wake
In this section, we’ll cover Clear Air turbulence and Thermal turbulence, while the remaining two types will be explored in the next blog.
So, what is Clear Air turbulence [CAT]
This type of turbulence, as the name implies, has no visible cues. It occurs in clear skies and is primarily caused by jet streams. Jet streams are swift, narrow air currents that flow from west to east around the globe. Planes often fly in the direction of the jet streams to save time and fuel and avoid them if flying against the current.
CAT is caused by sudden changes in wind speed or direction, often near jet streams, mountain ranges, or weather fronts. It usually happens at high altitudes, typically above 20,000 feet. In simple words, if a plane is flying against the jet streams and isn’t avoiding them, it will experience turbulence as air from multiple directions is impacting the plane.
Thermal Turbulence
Thermal turbulence is the opposite of Clear Sky Turbulence, it has visible cues and is distinguishable. This is the type of turbulence that’s truly unsettling.
Thermal turbulence is caused by rising warm air also called thermals, this is due to the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface. The thermals create cumulonimbus clouds, these clouds carry thunderstorms, water droplets, and ice crystals and are very dense. So, when a plane enters such a cloud, it encounters ice crystals and, because of strong updrafts and downdrafts, the plane experiences directional deviations.
Thermal turbulence within a cumulonimbus cloud can be powerful enough to tear an aircraft apart and strong enough to suspend a skydiver in mid-air.
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