Which description best defines turbulence in meteorological terms?

Turbulence in meteorological terms is characterized by small scale, random, and short-term changes in air velocity. This description captures the essence of turbulence as it refers to the chaotic and irregular movements of air that can occur due to various factors including wind shear, temperature variations, and topographical features. These random fluctuations can happen at different altitudes and can be difficult to predict, contributing to the dynamic nature of the atmosphere.

Other descriptions, while they highlight different aspects of atmospheric behavior, do not accurately define turbulence. For instance, stable, predictable air movement refers to laminar flow, which is the opposite of turbulence; it is smooth and characterized by consistent air behavior. Consistent and uniform wind patterns suggest a stable airflow where turbulence is minimal. Lastly, large-scale, seasonal atmospheric shifts pertain to phenomena like monsoons or trade winds and do not reflect the random, chaotic characteristics that define turbulence in localized air movements.