Mountain Wave Turbulence Added to AWC Products

The U.S. Aviation Weather Center (AWC) added mountain wave turbulence to its turbulence product suite on April 30, with the first G-Airmet including the mountain wave tag issued on May 4.

Mountain wave turbulence occurs when air flows over mountainous terrain, creating oscillating atmospheric waves downwind of peaks. These waves can produce severe turbulence at high altitudes, often in clear air where pilots cannot visually detect the hazard. The phenomenon is most common near mountain ranges and can extend significant distances downwind from the terrain that generates it.

The AWC’s Graphical Forecasts for Aviation page provides interactive, real-time maps showing forecasts of light, moderate, and extreme turbulence up to 19 hours ahead. Included in the system are high-altitude and low-altitude toggles and displays of pilot reports.

G-Airmets are graphical advisories of en-route weather phenomena that may affect aircraft safety. The addition of mountain wave turbulence as a distinct category allows more precise identification of this specific hazard, which differs from other forms of turbulence in its causes and geographic distribution.

Part of the National Weather Service, the AWC provides aviation weather forecasts and warnings for the U.S.