What are the primary causes of turbulence during flight?

Turbulence during flight is commonly caused by factors related to the atmosphere and physical environment, particularly weather conditions, terrain, and the wake generated by other aircraft. Weather is one of the most significant contributors to turbulence, as various phenomena such as thunderstorms, wind shear, and thermal activity can create unstable air movement.

Terrain also plays an essential role in turbulence; for example, flying over mountains can lead to mechanical turbulence as wind flows disruptively over the peaks and valleys. Additionally, the wake turbulence produced by other aircraft, especially larger ones, can result in significant disturbances that affect the following aircraft.

These aspects provide insight into why this answer is the most accurate. Other options, while they may affect flight safety or performance, do not directly correlate with the primary causes of turbulence in the same way. Mechanical failures and pilot errors are typically associated with other types of flight issues rather than the atmospheric disruptions characterized by turbulence. Excessive weight, while it can influence aircraft performance, does not inherently generate turbulence.