Even experience flyers struggle with turbulence when it happens during a plane journey, yet scientists have indicated that a worrying global trend could lead to more extreme circumstances in the near future.
There's nothing worse than that moment when the lights flicker on and off and you struggle to stay in your seat, as all of those Final Destination films suddenly start to flash in your mind.
While most instances of turbulence on a plane are largely fine - albeit unpleasant for passengers - there are some instances where it can cause issues for the pilot, leading to injury.
New studies, as reported by the Daily Mail, have now indicated that extreme cases of turbulence are only going to increase in the coming years though, and it's all thanks to one terrifying trend.
What is causing turbulence to get worse?
In a study published in MDPI, scientists Milton Speer and Professor Lance M Lesie of the University of Technology Sydney have outlined that global warming and climate change is an aggravating factor in turbulence.
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Using machine learning research, the experts revealed that downbursts and updrafts caused by thunderstorms are increasing in intensity thanks to rising temperatures across the globe.
Detailing their findings in The Conversation, the pair illustrate:
"Global warming increases the amount of water vapor in the lower atmosphere. That's because 1°C of warming allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapor. The extra moisture typically comes from adjacent warmer seas. It evaporates from the surface of the ocean and feeds clouds. Increased heat and water vapor fuels stronger thunderstorms."
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This then leads to the increased risk of stronger turbulence while on a plane, and based on current climate projections it's only going to continue to get worse as Earth reaches a 'tipping point' in the near future.
How do thunderstorms cause turbulence?
It's not hard to imagine how extreme weather can mess around with a several-ton heavy metal box floating in the air, but there are specific elements of storms that prove to be the most dangerous when it comes to planes.
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Smaller downbursts of wind that are categorized as 'microbursts' are incredibly difficult for pilots to deal with, as they prove to be unpredictable and tend to throw the airplane in all directions.
Microbursts are typically also incredibly fast compared to standard gusts of wind, and speeds of up to 97.5 miles per hour (157 kilometers per hour) have been registered in the past.
Planes typically experience these microburts during take off and landing sequences, which are even more dangerous due to the flight's close proximity to the ground. One wrong movement combined with rapidly changing speed can be very difficult for pilots to deal with, and can put the plane in an extremely dangerous situation.