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Nobody likes turbulence. Here's how you can avoid it...
Giving ATC a brief report of conditions can help everyone behind you following your route. You can find turbulence PIREPs here.
Graphical AIRMETs and SIGMETs are a great way to visualize where you might find turbulent skies around the country. Click here for AWC G-AIRMETs.
Frontal turbulence is caused by lifting of warm air, a frontal surface leading to instability, or the abrupt wind shift between the warm and cold air masses. The most severe cases of frontal turbulence are generally associated with fast-moving cold fronts.
Even though a temperature inversion produces a stable atmosphere, inversions can cause turbulence at the boundary between the inversion layer and the surrounding atmosphere. You can read the winds/temps aloft chart to find these inversions before you fly.
If you're talking to ATC, listen for reports of turbulence from pilots nearby. Controllers are constantly receiving reports in their sector, so use their advice to find the smoothest altitude.
How do you plan your flight to avoid turbulence? Tell us in the comments below.
Thinking about becoming a pilot? Get started with UND Aerospace Phoenix, and find out what it takes to start your aviation career here.