The world will get windier in the future claims a new study published today in Nature Climate Change. Researchers made these predictions based on simulated atmospheric conditions at altitudes where airplane fly over the North Atlantic.
While the analysis made assumptions to predict patterns of turbulence at 12 km above the earth’s surface, it has been our admittedly small number of personal observations that when airplane flights are very turbulent, the nearby open bodies of water are usually churned up with surface turbulence. That is, when cups are bouncing around the airplane cabin, we are usually in for a rough water swim down at sea level.
There may or may not be any relationship between the sea level or 12 km up, but if there is, make sure your goggles are snug. You’re in for a bumpy ride on high and down low.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.