When you are flying is there less tuburlence during the winter or summer?

Question

I am flying on thursday from New York to Florida and I was just curious, on a clear day is there generally less turbulence during the winter or summer months. Thanks.

Answer 1

I've flown during all seasons and it doesn't really matter it just depends on the current weather conditions at the time you are traveling

Answer 2

I guess it depends on what kind of turbulence you are talking about. Convective turbulence will occur more often in the summer months as it occurs with the unstable air that comes along with the formation of storms. Clear Air Turbulence or CAT usually occurs at high altitudes when the aircraft encounters vast changes in windspeed at different altitudes (such as entering the jet stream.)

Answer 3

No difference.  Advance weather information today is so precise that is very unlikely to encounter severe turbulence.

Other can't be avoided like in Miami during the summer month, and in the p.m. hours you have severe turbulence on approach over the Everglades (water cells) and some impressive cumulus limbus in the area.  In winter the upper atmosphere is cold and fewer storms are likely to be found.  Snow, not a problem

Answer 4

There may turbulence any time of year, but the reasons may differ.

Winds are stronger in the winter both at the surface and aloft, so turbulence due to wind is generally worse in the winter.

Low level convective turbulence occurs from the heat currents rising from the ground.  This happens on just about any clear summer day, starting around noon and diminishing around sunset.  In clear air, this type of turbulence only occurs relatively close to the ground and should not be an issue in cruise flight.