Here are my thoughts on what air travellers should know about turbulence before heading to the airport this summer. usatoday.com/story/travel/a…

Dr. Lei Gu highlights the growing demand for short-term climate prediction in civil aviation at #CWWF2025. Research shows climate change increases aviation risks like more frequent clear-air turbulence. Learn more: link.springer.com/article/10.100… Prof Paul Williams

It was a pleasure to share the stage with Camille Sagues and Veronique Roca at this recent Airbus event, discussing the crucial topic of adaptation of the aviation sector to climate change.

Is the jet stream speeding up because of climate change, helping eastbound flights reach record-breaking ground speeds? I discussed the evidence in this recent presentation at the Airbus Leadership University in Toulouse.

Did you know that turbulence is the leading cause of weather-related commercial aircraft accidents? It accounts for 71% of them, according to a study we published in 2019, as I discussed at this recent presentation for Airbus in Toulouse.

How is climate change affecting aviation? And how can the sector adapt? We had a stimulating Q&A session on these topics at an Airbus conference in Toulouse recently.

I am very lucky to lead a fantastic research group in aviation turbulence at the University of Reading, pictured here having lunch today with a visitor. Thank you all for your contributions to our group's success.

Congratulations to my PhD student Isabel Smith, who officially became Dr Smith today!

I am very happy to be featured in this BBC article on how the aviation sector is responding to increased turbulence. bbc.co.uk/future/article…

Guess what was the top most-read article on the BBC News website today? And also the most engaged with, achieving well over 1,000 comments so far! I am happy to be quoted in it, explaining why servere turbulence is becoming more frequent. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Taking my son to Brazil for a much-needed holiday!

I love in-person conferences. There's something magical about being physically present in the same place as like-minded people. Virtual meetings have their place, and I favour a hybrid-first approach to maximise accessibility, but I will always choose to travel if I can.

Our new study finds that the upper atmosphere is becoming more sheared and less stratified because of climate change. Both these changes are making the atmosphere less stable and more conducive to turbulence. Covered by the BBC here: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

I am pleased to share that I have started a new role as Head of Department today. I joined the University of Reading's renowned Department of Meteorology 22 years ago, and I am looking forward to taking over the reins for a while.

Atmospheric scientists: submit your paper to our special issue on "Wind-Speed Variability from Tropopause to Surface" in the journal Meteorology. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026. Further details and submission link: mdpi.com/journal/meteor…

I was interviewed on the BBC World Service's "Focus on Africa" show earlier this month, to discuss turbulence on flights from an African angle. Listen to the discussion here (starting at around 22:40). bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0…

Our new study published this month finds that climate change will tend to create more noise around airports in Europe. The lift generated by a departing aircraft is less in warmer air, reducing climb angles by up to 7.5%. Study: doi.org/10.3390/aerosp… dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ar…

Our new study finds that the upper atmosphere is becoming more sheared and less stratified because of climate change. Both these changes are making the air less stable and more conducive to turbulence. Published in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-…

I am excited to be in Warsaw this week to speak at the 13th European Aviation Conference. Exciting discussions about the future of aviation!

Exciting visit to Lazarski University in Warsaw this week, to discuss how climate change is affecting aviation.