clear-air turbulence
noun
: sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent jarring or buffeting of aircraft
Examples of clear-air turbulence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is especially true for clear-air turbulence, the invisible kind that strikes without warning in otherwise calm skies.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
The study also predicts that clear-air turbulence (CAT), a particularly dangerous type of turbulence, will be more frequent in the future.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Severe clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic — one of the planet’s busiest flight routes — was 55% more frequent in 2020 than 1979, according to a 2023 study, which also found increases of 41% over the continental US.
—Renée Rigdon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Some studies suggest that rising global temperatures may intensify wind shear in jet streams, potentially leading to more frequent or severe clear-air turbulence, but this is still speculative.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clear-air turbulence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
The study also predicts that clear-air turbulence (CAT), a particularly dangerous type of turbulence, will be more frequent in the future.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Severe clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic — one of the planet’s busiest flight routes — was 55% more frequent in 2020 than 1979, according to a 2023 study, which also found increases of 41% over the continental US.
—Renée Rigdon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Some studies suggest that rising global temperatures may intensify wind shear in jet streams, potentially leading to more frequent or severe clear-air turbulence, but this is still speculative.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clear-air turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Clear-air turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear-air%20turbulence. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share