Clear Air Turbulence

Atmospheric turbulence that arises in cloud-free areas outside the influence of the Earth's surface, responsible for the buffeting that commercial aircraft experience at various points during their cruise phase. It is caused mainly by wind shear, both horizontal and vertical, which is why it is usually detected near jet streams, located in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. In aeronautical meteorological jargon, it is identified by the acronym CAT. On the various forecast maps used specifically for aeronautical purposes, pilots can check which areas of CAT are expected during the flight, although there are places where this turbulence (undetectable by the observation systems carried by aircraft) can arise unexpectedly.