There are 5 main types of turbulence: convective, clean air, mechanical, wake, and chaotic turbulence. Convective turbulence occurs when warm air rises from heated ground and passes other air masses. Clean air turbulence happens when planes cross between air masses moving in different directions, such as jet streams. Mechanical turbulence is generated when a solid object obstructs airflow, like a rock in a river. Wake turbulence is caused by planes disrupting air as they pass through it. Turbulence in general can be defined as chaotic and unpredictable airflow.

1. Types Of Turbulence Explained
Presentation by
Neil Shearing, Ph.D.
http://www.PhooeyToFear.com/

2. Turbulence Is Chaotic Motion
The dictionary definition of “turbulence” is simply something that
behaves with a chaotic and unpredictable motion. You can
imagine turbulence as the change in flow of river water as it goes
around a rock and meets on the other side.

3. Convective Turbulence
One of the easiest types of turbulence to imagine is convective
turbulence. As the sun heats the ground, the air above it is
warmed and rises. That air has to move past other air in order to
rise, and at the boundaries between the air masses, turbulent air is
generated.

4. Clean Air Turbulence
Clean Air Turbulence happens at high altitude and is encountered
when the plane crosses between two air masses moving in
different directions. Usually, that means when a plane crosses into
or out of a jet stream.

5. Mechanical Turbulence
When a solid object causes the obstruction of air flow, in the
same way as the rock in the river disrupted the water flow, it can
generate turbulence called mechanical turbulence.

6. Wake Turbulence
The final type of turbulence is called wake turbulence and it’s
caused by the planes themselves punching a “hole” through the air
and disrupting it.

7. More Information
FAA: Fact Sheet – Turbulence
https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14195
Phooey To Fear Website:
http://www.phooeytofear.com/
Fear of Turbulence Kindle Book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HZS9N4Y
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZS9N4Y