Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds caused by turbulence in the air
Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds caused by turbulence in the air
Wind shear often occurs along the jet stream. This involves extended layers of air that move against each other horizontally at different speeds. Particularly strong wind shear can create waves that ultimately break, like waves on water. When a wave breaks, it causes vortices in the air or turbulence – specifically 'clear-air turbulence' (CAT).
