What causes turbulence in the atmosphere?

Turbulence in the atmosphere is primarily caused by convective air currents and wind shear. Convective air currents are vertical movements of air that occur due to the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface, which leads to the rising of warmer, less dense air and the sinking of cooler, denser air. This process creates various air currents that can lead to turbulent conditions, especially in areas where these currents interact with one another.

Wind shear, which refers to the change in wind speed and direction with altitude, can also contribute to turbulence. When there is a significant difference in wind velocities at different heights, the interaction between these layers can create instability and turbulence, particularly during weather changes like frontal passages or in stormy conditions.

While factors like humidity and air pressure can influence atmospheric conditions, they do not directly cause turbulence to the same extent as convective currents and wind shear. Strong mechanical systems might refer to large-scale weather phenomena, but it is the variations in thermal and wind patterns that are the key drivers of turbulence.