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
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It’s called clear-air turbulence and is most often used to describe turbulence near jet streams, wavy rivers of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere where planes cruise.
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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
But looking at how climate change affects wind speeds in the upper atmosphere hasn’t proven very helpful in understanding clear-air turbulence, Williams said.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
Instances of moderate or more violent clear-air turbulence have increased by 37% over the north Atlantic Ocean over the last 40 years, according to a 2023 study analyzing data from 1979 to 2020.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
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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
But looking at how climate change affects wind speeds in the upper atmosphere hasn’t proven very helpful in understanding clear-air turbulence, Williams said.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
Instances of moderate or more violent clear-air turbulence have increased by 37% over the north Atlantic Ocean over the last 40 years, according to a 2023 study analyzing data from 1979 to 2020.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
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 20 Aug. 2025.
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