Structural Features of Breaking Waves in Stratified Flow Over Mountains

Abstract

When internal waves generated by flow over mountains break under sufficiently stably stratified atmospheric conditions, a localized turbulent zone is created. This is one important example of the mechanisms which engender so-called ‘clear air turbulence’. The presence of a turbulent zone is a concern for air traffic and the associated increase in wind trapped between this turbulent zone and the mountain creates strong storms on the lee-side of the mountain. Furthermore, this phenomenon increases the drag on the atmosphere which needs to be accounted for in numerical weather prediction models.