Global warming could make North Atlantic flights bumpier

BBC : Atmospheric warming could increase the average strength of turbulence by 10% to 40% by the middle of the century, according to simulations run by Paul Williams of Reading University and Manoj Joshi from the University of East Anglia, both in the UK. The researchers used a supercomputer to model changes in air currents above 10 km over the North Atlantic. Their simulations also found that the airspace in which significant turbulence occurs could increase between 40% and 170% with the most likely increase being 100%, or double the current area. The likelihood for an increase of “moderate or greater” turbulence was 10.8%. In aviation, “moderate or greater” turbulence refers to accelerations of 5 m/s ², or half of a g force. If areas of turbulence spread, airlines would likely route their flights around them, which would increase flight times and fuel usage. Current estimates put the costs of turbulence in terms of injuries and damage to planes at approximately $150 million a year.