West to Northwest winds being lifted over the mountains in West Virginia and western Virginia have helped create a cloud formation known as "Mountain Waves" or "Lee Waves," because these are clouds that form in the lee of the mountains. When the air is orographically lifted on the "windward" side of the mountain, the air condenses and forms a cloud. On the other side of the mountain, the air begins to descend, and the sky is clear there. But an oscillation has begun in the atmosphere, so the air rises again, condenses, and forms another row of clouds on the leeward side of the mountain.
This oscillation can continue for miles, and we are seeing that early this morning in the Commonwealth! Watch the visible satellite loop here.
No comments:
Post a Comment