What is mountain wave turbulence?
Mountain waves are the result of flowing air being forced to rise up the windward side of a mountain barrier, then as a result of certain atmospheric conditions, sinking down the leeward side. Within these ‘breaking waves’, the atmospheric flow becomes turbulent.
How can mountain wave turbulence be prevented?
Altitude 50 percent above the terrain – Turbulence caused by extreme mountain waves can extend into all altitudes that you might use, but dangerous turbulence can usually be avoided by clearing the mountains at least half again as high as the height of the mountain.
What are the different types of turbulence?
There are four causes of turbulence.
- Mechanical Turbulence. Friction between the air and the ground, especially irregular terrain and man-made obstacles, causes eddies and therefore turbulence in the lower levels.
- Thermal (Convective) Turbulence.
- Frontal Turbulence.
- Wind Shear.
How far can mountain wave turbulence travel?
Strong lift and Clear Air Turbulence may extend up to 100,000 ft. Vertically-propagating waves with sufficient amplitude may break, and result in severe Clear Air Turbulence between 20,000 and 40,000 feet. If the wave does not break, the main turbulence hazard is the low level rotor area.
Where is clear air turbulence strongest?
Any CAT is strongest on the cold side of the jet stream where the wind shear is greatest. In the vicinity of a jet stream, CAT can be encountered anywhere from 7,000 feet below to about 3,000 feet above the tropopause.
Why do mountain waves form?
These waves are generated when strong winds flowing toward mountains in a generally perpendicular fashion are raised up over the mountains. As the winds rise, they may encounter a strong inversion or stable air barrier over the mountains that causes the winds to be redirected toward the surface.
Do mountain waves always cause turbulence?
Lenticular Clouds (lens shaped clouds) can form in the crest of the mountain waves if the air is moist. Roll Clouds can also occur in the rotors below the waves if the air is moist….Content control:
| WX | |
|---|---|
| Tag(s) | Weather Phenomena, Turbulence |
Where is the most turbulent place to fly?
The Top 10 Most Turbulent Flight Paths In The World (Bumpiest Flight Routes)
- New York to London.
- Seoul to Dallas.
- Flights Near the Equator.
- Flights into Monsoon and Hurricane Hotspots.
- London to Johannesburg.
- Flights into Reno, Nevada.
- London to Glasgow.
- Flights over Mountainous Regions.
How do pilots deal with turbulence?
Maintain control of the aircraft: Don’t accelerate or try to fight past the bumps. Maintain control while flying through turbulence and remain calm. Keep an eye on the haze layer: Make sure to fly above the haze layer for a smooth ride. Clouds that make up the haze layer are what cause bumps while flying.
Can pilots see clear air turbulence?
Detection. Clear-air turbulence is usually impossible to detect with the naked eye and very difficult to detect with a conventional radar, with the result that it is difficult for aircraft pilots to detect and avoid it.
What is lee of the mountain?
Lee waves are standing waves in the air that form downwind of a hill or mountain range as winds pass over them.
When can you fly over a mountain range with turbulence?
turbulence, mountain flying should not be attempted if the winds aloft forecast at mountain top levels are greater than 25 knots. Above this level, potentially dangerous tur- bulence, as well as very strong up and down drafts are likely.
What kind of turbulence does a mountain wave cause?
. The combination of these strong vertical currents and surface friction may cause rotors to form beneath the mountain waves causing severe turbulence. Mountain Waves are associated with severe turbulence, strong vertical currents, and icing. Loss of Control and / or Level Bust.
How does a mountain wave affect an airplane?
As winds become stronger aloft, mountain wave turbulence will develop more often and may cause significant damage to the structure of aircraft (Figures 1-3) and result in loss of control. General aviation pilots may also experience greatly reduced climb rates due to severe downdrafts generated by mountain waves.
When do mountain waves appear on the east coast?
They often appear in the strong westerly wind flows on the east coast in late winter and early spring. Mountain waves are a different phenomena to the mechanical turbulence found in the lee of mountain ranges, and can exist as a smooth undulating airflow or may contain clear air turbulence in the form of breaking waves and ‘rotors’.
Why are there so many mountain waves in Australia?
Although mountain wave activity is usually forecast reasonably well by the Bureau of Meteorology, many local factors may effect the formation of ‘breaking waves’ and ‘rotors’. When planning a flight a pilot should take note of the winds and the terrain to assess the likelihood of waves and rotors.