When is thermal turbulence most pronounced?

Thermal turbulence is primarily influenced by the heating of the Earth's surface and the resulting convective air currents. This phenomenon is most pronounced during the summer months, when the sun's intensity is greater and surfaces heat up significantly, leading to the development of strong thermals. These thermals, which are rising columns of warm air, become more active in the afternoon when the solar heating reaches its peak, contributing to increased turbulence.

During summer afternoons, the combination of warm air at the surface and cooler air aloft creates unstable atmospheric conditions. As the warm surface air rises, it can lead to choppy flying conditions, especially in the presence of added factors such as terrain that enhances convection, like mountains or buildings.

Thermal turbulence is less pronounced in winter and at night when the atmosphere tends to be more stable, as solar heating is minimal and surface temperatures drop significantly. Similarly, other seasons and times such as spring mornings or fall evenings also do not provide the same intense heating and resulting thermals that occur in summer afternoons.