Why Flights Are Getting Bumpier ? The Climate Science Behind Turbulence

Why Flights Are Getting Bumpier ? The Climate Science Behind Turbulence

Author: Gemma Plumb & Aisling Creevey July 14, 2026 Duration: 49:07

You can find this video on YouTube here https://youtu.be/XaYWg74D6l4

Is climate change making flying more turbulent? And what exactly is the jet stream?

In this episode of For the Love of Weather, Gemma and Aisling are joined by Professor Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading and one of the world's leading experts on the jet stream, aviation turbulence and climate change.

Paul explains the latest science behind one of the biggest questions in weather and aviation: Is climate change making turbulence worse? He also unpacks how the jet stream shapes our weather, why storms and heavy rainfall are becoming more intense, and how weather forecasts continue to improve.

In this episode, you'll discover:

  • 🌍 What the jet stream is and why it matters
  • ✈️ How climate change is affecting the atmosphere where aircraft fly
  • ☁️ What clear-air turbulence is—and why pilots can't always see it
  • 🛫 Whether flying is likely to become bumpier in the future
  • 🌪️ Why storms and extreme rainfall are becoming more intense
  • 💨 How weather balloons, satellites and aircraft improve weather forecasting
  • ❤️ Why turbulence is a normal part of flying—and why it shouldn't stop you from travelling

Whether you're fascinated by weather, curious about climate science, or simply want to understand what causes turbulence on your next flight, this episode is packed with expert insights and surprising facts.

If you want to hear a little more weather and climate chat - please hit subscribe, like and share with a friend. You can follow us on social media - @fortheloveofweather You can subscribe on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ForTheLoveOfWeather

Find out more about Professor Paul Williams and his research: https://www.met.reading.ac.uk/~williams/


Ever find yourself actually enjoying a rainy afternoon or wondering why a certain cloud looks the way it does? You're not alone. For the love of weather is the ongoing conversation between meteorologists Gemma Plumb and Aisling Creevey, who have spent over fifteen years forecasting across the UK. This podcast captures the kind of deep-dive chats they've been having for years, moving far beyond simple small talk. They pull back the curtain on what weather really means for our daily lives, drawing on a surprising range of experience. Their professional paths have seen them predicting conditions for everything from major music festivals and national rail networks to agricultural harvests and even ice cream demand, giving them a unique perspective on how the atmosphere connects to the ground beneath our feet. Each episode feels like sitting with two experts who are still genuinely fascinated by their subject, discussing the science behind a storm front, the challenges of a long-range forecast, or how a shift in the wind can change an entire industry's plans. It's a look at the patterns and stories in the sky, grounded in the reality of jobs, life changes, and a shared curiosity that hasn't faded. Tune in for a human take on the forces that shape our days.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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