Which term denotes increased aircraft turbulence caused by climate-change-related atmospheric changes?

Which term denotes increased aircraft turbulence caused by climate-change-related atmospheric changes?

• A. Solar geoengineering
• B. Extreme weather events
• C. Clear-air turbulence
• D. Ecosystem volatility

Answer: (C)

Clear-air turbulence is turbulence that occurs in clear air, without visible clouds, usually high in the atmosphere where jet streams and wind shear create irregular air motion. Climate-change–related shifts in temperature gradients and atmospheric circulation can make these shear zones stronger or more erratic, increasing both the frequency and intensity of turbulence that pilots encounter even when skies look calm. Since there are no clouds to signal trouble, this type of turbulence is harder to predict and detect than turbulence tied to storms. The other terms don’t describe this aviation-specific, invisible turbulence: solar geoengineering refers to climate intervention methods, extreme weather events is a broad category of severe weather, and ecosystem volatility pertains to ecological systems rather than flight conditions.

Clear-air turbulence is turbulence that occurs in clear air, without visible clouds, usually high in the atmosphere where jet streams and wind shear create irregular air motion. Climate-change–related shifts in temperature gradients and atmospheric circulation can make these shear zones stronger or more erratic, increasing both the frequency and intensity of turbulence that pilots encounter even when skies look calm. Since there are no clouds to signal trouble, this type of turbulence is harder to predict and detect than turbulence tied to storms. The other terms don’t describe this aviation-specific, invisible turbulence: solar geoengineering refers to climate intervention methods, extreme weather events is a broad category of severe weather, and ecosystem volatility pertains to ecological systems rather than flight conditions.