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Prof Paul Williams

@profpaul.bsky.social

3.3K followers 320 following 110 posts

Professor of Atmospheric Science at University of Reading. Studies turbulence, jet streams, aviation, climate change. https://www.met.reading.ac.uk/~williams/

www.met.reading.ac.uk

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Nov 19

Let me fix that for you.

Professor who discovered that climate change is causing increased turbulence teaches youngsters that climate change is causing increased turbulence.

That's what happens in universities and it's why we're no longer living in the Dark Ages. Be thankful!

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · 8d

I'd like to read that novel!

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · 8d

Our new study published this month finds that climate change will tend to create more noise around airports across 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/aero...

www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/...

UK airports are set to get NOISIER due to climate change, experts warn

If you live near an airport, it might be wise to invest in a decent pair of earplugs - because the noise of departing aircraft is set to get even worse.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · 13d

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).

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Focus on Africa - South Africa building fire: What happened to survivors? - BBC Sounds

More than 70 people died in the Usindiso building in central Johannesburg in 2023

www.bbc.co.uk

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · 14d

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: www.mdpi.com/journal/mete...

www.mdpi.com

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Reposted by Prof Paul Williams

Adam Vaughan @adamvaughan.bsky.social · 15d

It's not just that airport expansion will make climate change worse.

Climate change will also make airports worse.

New study of 30 European airports projects warming will increase the number of people exposed to noise pollution by mid-century
www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12...

www.mdpi.com

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Sep 1

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.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Aug 29

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: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Reading University research shows turbulent flights to increase

University of Reading research shows that clear-air turbulence, which is invisible to aircraft, is set to get worse.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Aug 19

I love meeting face-to-face at 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 favour a hybrid-first approach to maximise accessibility, but I will always choose to travel if I can.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Aug 5

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

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 30

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.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 28

I am very happy to be featured in this BBC article on how the aviation sector is responding to increased turbulence.

www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...

Turbulence is increasing. Here's how the aviation industry is trying to smooth things out

Climate change is creating stronger turbulence. Aircraft designers hope innovative new techniques will reduce its effects.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 22

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

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 17

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.

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 16

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.

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 10

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.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 8

It's complicated 😂

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 8

It's complicated 😂

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 8

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.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 7

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.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jul 1

Here are my thoughts on what air travellers should know about turbulence before heading to the airport this summer.

www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Turbulence is getting worse. Here's what passengers should know before summer flights.

Some kinds of turbulence are less common in summer, but storms can bring bumpy rides for airplane passengers. Here's how to stay safe.

www.usatoday.com

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jun 26

I have been in Peru this week, to speak at an ICAO workshop on severe meteorological phenomena and aviation. It is great to see that the international aviation community is taking seriously the increasing risks of severe weather associated with climate change.

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jun 20

And the prize for best sub-heading goes to... "Shear-ly not"!

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jun 20

Today I'm getting naked to talk about wind shear!

A listener of The Naked Scientists asked why clouds sometimes move in a different direction from the surface wind.

I got my clothes off (don't worry, it's audio only!) to answer the question.

Listen here: www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/que...

Why do clouds move in a different direction to the wind?

Shear-ly not...

www.thenakedscientists.com

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Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jun 19

I had the pleasure of speaking at a conference in Rimini this week about how aviation will need to adapt to climate change, covering the latest science on topics such as airport flooding, degraded take-off performance, more lightning, modified hail patterns, and stronger turbulence.

Prof Paul Williams @profpaul.bsky.social · Jun 18

We had a great aviation session at the European Climate Change Adaptation conference in Rimini this week.

Thanks to fellow panellists Ian Elston, Davide Bassano, Marc Wetterwald, Robert Brons and moderator Rachel Burbidge for the stimulating discussions.