What type of turbulence is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface?

Convective turbulence arises from the uneven heating of the Earth's surface, which leads to the formation of thermals—columns of rising hot air. As the ground heats up during the day, some surfaces, like asphalt or bare ground, heat faster than others, such as water or vegetation. This temperature difference causes hot air to rise and create vertical currents. When an aircraft flies through this rising air, it can experience turbulence due to the varying vertical motions of the air.

This type of turbulence is common in the afternoon on warm, sunny days where the ground undergoes significant heating. The strength of convective turbulence can vary depending on factors such as the surface conditions and atmospheric stability. Understanding convective turbulence is crucial for pilots during ascent and descent phases, as well as for navigating airspace during warm weather.