The overwhelming majority of the time, potential turbulence is easy to forecast and visualize on a flight route (cumulous clouds for example). Clear air turbulence is the kicker, as it rears its ugly head with no visual indicators. Check this site out for some educational reading :

http://www.casa.gov.au/airsafe/trip/turbulen.htm

The best people to talk with about air movement, turbulence, clouds and thermals are guys and gals who fly without engines - like sailplane, hangglider and paraglider pilots. They use air currents and thermals to get from place to place, and in some cases turbulence is something they seek as it indicates rising air. Of course, they also have a saying that goes something like " If you could see what the air was doing around you, you'd never fly in it!"