Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

alekseyweyman OP t1_j6h9w41 wrote

Reply to comment by VeneMage in ELI5 what causes those random spots of turbulence on airplanes? by alekseyweyman

Yeah that makes sense- are these currents continuous in the sense that if we fly over that section again it would happen also? Or are the wind pockets outliers from differential temperatures / winds?

1

VeneMage t1_j6ha5ht wrote

Just like the sea, the waves are not static. We can anticipate where turbulence is likely to happen knowing air currents as we do. Plus being in the path of previous aircraft can also cause turbulence and this is again something we can anticipate, just not know exactly when these pockets of disturbed air are while flying through those zones.

5

YouthfulDrake t1_j6iajuu wrote

Pilots report to air traffic control where they experience turbulence so that air traffic control can warn pilots heading into that area

2