The turbulence experienced in a plane during otherwise clear weather is called 'Clear-Air Turbulence' or CAT in the world of aviation (to distinguish it from turbulence called by a storm or other phenomenon). Clear-air turbulence occurs when bodies of air moving at very different speeds meet. It's hard to predict, and can be caused by many factors, like jet streams, temperature changes, mountains, and the curious Rossby waves which alter air patterns near the poles of our planet. Turbulence in general, not just in air, is a very complicated problem in the physical sciences, which has yet to be entirely modeled. Feynman called is "the most important unsolved problem of classical physics".
Bonus:
If you lose sleep because of the turbulence on the way to Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport don't fret: they have air mattresses scattered about for tired travelers.
-E
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