What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate a significant temperature anomaly encountered by an aircraft near a thunderstorm in Western Australia.

February 5, 2026

A marked upper tropospheric temperature anomaly observed by an aircraft near a thunderstorm over inland Western Australia

Key Points

To investigate a significant temperature anomaly encountered by an aircraft near a thunderstorm in Western Australia.
Observations from a commercial aircraft diverting around a thunderstorm
Analysis of meteorological conditions during the event
Comparison with similar anomalies recorded in other locations
An anomaly of up to 18°C was recorded at approximately 9500 m altitude
Difficulties in aircraft power management were noted during the encounter
The phenomenon was linked to adiabatic warming of air from the stratosphere

Abstract

A marked positive temperature anomaly of up to 18°C was encountered by a commercial passenger aircraft near Meekatharra, Western Australia at an altitude of around 9500 m. The aircraft was diverting around the up-wind side of a large thunderstorm at the time and experienced difficulties maintaining power. The meteorological aspects of the situation are examined and evidence is presented that similar anomalies have been observed at other times, in other parts of the world. Adiabatic warming of air returning from the stratosphere as a result of interactions between the thunderstorm outflow and the environmental airflow is shown to be consistent with the magnitude of the anomaly observed.

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