Aviation technology faces challenges predicting clear-air turbulence

Predicting turbulence remains a significant challenge for aviation due to the diverse causes of atmospheric instability. While weather radar is effective at detecting thunderstorms and heavy precipitation, it often fails to identify clear-air turbulence (CAT).

CAT occurs in cloudless skies where changes in wind speed and direction create unstable air, making it invisible to standard radio-frequency radar systems. Other sources of turbulence include mountain-induced waves and convective weather, but the inability to precisely forecast the timing and intensity of clear-air disturbances continues to pose a difficulty for pilots and flight planners.