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Is climate change making plane turbulence worse?

Severe turbulence is rare but it seems to be becoming more common.

Two flights have made the headlines recently after being hit by severe turbulence. Early investigations into a Singapore Airlines flight say that the plane dropped around 54m over 4.6 seconds. One passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured.

Injuries from turbulence is pretty rare but scientists think that climate change could be making severe turbulence more likely in the future. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, joins us to explain what causes severe turbulence and what scientists are doing to limit it.

It’s not just planes that fly, birds also have to deal with stormy weather. Researchers are now studying our feathered friends to better understand and predict turbulence. Emily Shepard, a researcher in bird flight and air flow, tells us how this might help.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

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12 minutes

Last on

Thu 30 May 2024 02:50GMT

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  • Wed 29 May 2024 17:50GMT
  • Thu 30 May 2024 02:50GMT

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