Wave Clouds | NESDIS | National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

Wave Clouds | NESDIS | National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
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Wave Clouds
Sometimes satellite imagery shows us rippled cloud patterns called wave clouds, or gravity waves. These form when stable air moves over a raised land feature, such as hills or mountains, and is forced upward. Gravity then causes the air to fall back down, and it begins to oscillate, creating that ripple effect.
In cases like these, clouds form on the cooled crests of these waves when enough moisture is present in the atmosphere. As the air moves downward, it encounters increasing atmospheric pressure. As the air is compressed, it is accompanied by an increase in temperature via a process called adiabatic heating, and the clouds evaporate. They can then form again as the air moves back upward, leading to the formation of the characteristic clouded and non-clouded bands.
Note that gravity waves shouldn’t be confused with “gravitational waves,” waves in spacetime created as objects move through space.
See additional examples below:
Cloud Streets and Gravity Waves in the Mid-Atlantic
The NOAA-20 satellite spied cloud streets and gravity waves near the Mid-Atlantic region on Nov. 28, 2018.
Read about gravity waves
Cloud Streets and Gravity Waves in the Mid-Atlantic
NOAA-20 Captures a Sparkly Night View
As the NOAA-20 satellite passed over the eastern United States on the night of the last full moon of the year, the sky was mostly crisp and clear.
View the imagery
NOAA-20 Captures a Sparkly Night View