Which turbulence is caused by solar heating of the ground that creates rising pockets of air with eddies?

• A. Mechanical Turbulence
• B. Thermal Turbulence
• C. Gusts
• D. Clear-air Turbulence

Answer: (B)

Thermal turbulence is caused by solar heating of the ground that creates rising pockets of air with eddies. When the sun heats the surface, the air near the ground becomes buoyant and rises, forming thermals. As these rising air masses interact with the surrounding wind, they spin off into small eddies and produce unpredictable vertical and horizontal motion. This type of turbulence is common on sunny days over land, especially in dry or uneven terrain, and it differs from mechanical turbulence (caused by obstacles), gusts (sudden changes in wind speed or direction), and clear-air turbulence (occurring aloft in unsettled air, not due to surface heating).