Brace Yourself: Why Turbulence Is Getting Worse

Close up of woman fastening her sea belt while sitting on airplane. — Image: Close up of woman hands fasten belts while sitting on airplane seat. Credit: Freepik

Have you flown lately? Have you noticed that turbulence is getting worse?

Remember these shocking 2024 headlines?

“A flight attendant broke her back during severe turbulence on a flight in Turkey—the third major incident of its kind in a week.”

“Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence, one passenger dead.”

Buckle Up!

Turbulence is making headlines! More and more, we’re hearing jaw-dropping stories of terrifying flights.

Terrified woman screaming on an airline flight — Image: Woman screaming on airline flight Credit: Freepik

In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight hit extreme turbulence, bouncing like a roller coaster and plunging 178 feet in just 4.6 seconds! The chaos left 104 people needing medical help, with 20 in intensive care. One person suffered a fatal heart attack. That same month, a Qatar Airways flight shook so violently that 12 people were injured, food and drinks went flying, and a Turkish Airlines flight attendant broke her back when the plane suddenly dropped in midair.

And get this—on a summer 2024 flight to Uruguay, a mother woke up to find her 2-year-old son stuck above the overhead compartment after turbulence sent him airborne!

Bumpety, Bump, Bump–Turbulence is Getting Worse in the North Atlantic

A 2023 study found that clear-air turbulence—the sneaky kind pilots can’t see—over the North Atlantic increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020. That’s a huge jump in just 31 years!

The most dangerous type of turbulence—clear-air turbulence—has increased the most. The UK and Northern Europe have seen the biggest rise in turbulence, with winter bringing the roughest flights.

And it’s not just happening overseas. Flights in the U.S. are also feeling the shake, especially on routes like:
Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City
Denver to Jackson Hole
Albuquerque to Denver

If you’re flying through these areas, keep that seatbelt fastened—you never know when the sky might get bumpy!

What’s Causing Turbulence to Get Worse?

Climate change. It’s increasing the temperature difference between warm and cold air masses, which makes the jet stream more unstable. That instability is causing more turbulence to form.

So next time you fly, remember: Turbulence is on the rise–so buckle up and stay prepared!

https://eco-nana.com/category/climate/Learn more about the causes and effects of climate change coming soon right here!