Turbcast research

Evidence-based articles on flight turbulence.

Written for curious passengers, anxious flyers, and aviation enthusiasts. Grounded in peer-reviewed atmospheric science, NOAA weather data, and real pilot reports.

17 articles

Refreshed regularly

7-10 min reads

Featured · Technology8 min read

Turbli vs Turbcast: An Honest 2026 Comparison

Side-by-side with Turbli, Turbulence Forecast and SkyBriefing - features, data sources and pricing, including where Turbli fits best. Plus the two things only Turbcast does: flight-number search, and grading its own forecasts against real pilot reports.

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Technology9 min read

How Turbulence Forecasting Works: The Technology Behind Turbcast

Learn how modern turbulence forecasting uses atmospheric data, physics algorithms, and machine learning to predict bumpy flights before you board.

How Accurate Is Turbcast's Turbulence Forecast? An Honest Breakdown

A straightforward look at where Turbcast's turbulence forecasts come from, what they get right, what they get wrong, and how they compare to the methods professional dispatchers use.

Is Turbulence Getting Worse? What the Data Actually Shows

Severe clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic has increased 55% since 1979, according to peer-reviewed research. Here is what the science says, what recent incidents tell us, and what it means for your next flight.

Read moreMay 19, 2026

Technology8 min read

Can Pilots See Turbulence on Radar?

Weather radar can spot the thunderstorms that cause convective turbulence - but it is essentially blind to clear-air turbulence, the kind that injures most passengers. Here is what pilots can and cannot see, and what they rely on instead.

Read moreMay 19, 2026

Tips8 min read

What Pilots Actually Do During Severe Turbulence

A look inside the cockpit during a severe turbulence encounter - from pre-flight planning to autopilot decisions to the specific control inputs pilots are trained to make and avoid. Based on FAA guidance and airline operating procedures.

Read moreMay 19, 2026

Science7 min read

Are Smaller Planes Bumpier? The Physics of Aircraft Size and Turbulence

Why a regional jet feels rougher than a Boeing 777 in the same turbulence. The answer is wing loading and mass - and the difference between aircraft types is bigger than most passengers realise.

Read moreMay 19, 2026

Science10 min read

Climate Change and Turbulence: Why Flights Are Getting Bumpier (and What Science Predicts for 2050)

Clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic has increased 55% since 1979. Here's the atmospheric science behind the trend, what's projected through 2050, and what it means for passengers, airlines, and safety.

Best Seats to Avoid Turbulence: A Pilot-Informed Seat-by-Seat Guide

Physics, not superstition: the center-of-gravity math behind which seats feel turbulence least. Complete breakdown by seat section, aircraft type, and cabin class - with actual seat-map recommendations.

When Is Flight Turbulence Worst? A Month-by-Month Global Guide

Winter over the Atlantic, monsoon over Asia, summer over the US - turbulence has a calendar. Here's the month-by-month pattern for every major flight corridor, and the best months to book a smoother flight.

Turbulence Severity Levels Explained: What Light, Moderate, and Severe Really Mean

A pilot's guide to the four turbulence intensity categories, the EDR scale that underlies them, and what each level actually feels like in the cabin - with concrete examples.

Will Turbulence Crash a Plane? What the Aviation Safety Data Actually Shows

Short answer: almost certainly not. Here's the full engineering, historical, and statistical picture of how modern aircraft handle turbulence - including what the Singapore Airlines SQ321 incident really tells us.

The Most Turbulent Flight Routes in 2024

Discover which flight routes experience the most turbulence worldwide. From transatlantic crossings to mountain routes, learn where to expect bumpy flights.

What Causes Turbulence? A Complete Scientific Guide

Learn what causes airplane turbulence, from clear air turbulence (CAT) to jet streams. Understand the science behind bumpy flights and how pilots navigate through it.

Clear Air Turbulence (CAT): Why Planes Shake in Clear Skies

Understanding Clear Air Turbulence - what causes it, where it occurs, and why it's the hardest type of turbulence to predict. Essential reading for frequent flyers.

Is Turbulence Dangerous? What Every Passenger Should Know

Worried about turbulence? Learn why airplane turbulence is almost never dangerous, how aircraft are designed to handle it, and statistics that will ease your fears.

15 Expert Tips for Nervous Flyers: How to Handle Turbulence

Overcome fear of flying with these proven strategies for dealing with turbulence. From breathing techniques to seat selection, experts share their best advice.

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About the blog

How often are Turbcast articles updated?

Evergreen articles (severity levels, safety, seat selection) are reviewed annually and updated when new research or major incidents warrant it. Timely pieces (climate, seasonal guides) are refreshed each year to reflect the latest atmospheric research and the current year's data.

Who writes the Turbcast blog?

Articles are researched and written by the Turbcast team, with atmospheric-science content cross-checked against peer-reviewed sources (NOAA, Paul Williams et al. at the University of Reading, ICAO Annex 3) and aviation-safety content verified against FAA and NTSB data.

Can I rely on the Turbcast blog for flight planning?

The blog provides background and context. For actual flight-day decisions, use our live turbulence forecasts - they combine NOAA pilot reports, SIGMETs, and physics-based atmospheric computations for your specific route and altitude.