What Is Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves?
Clouds shaped like rolling ocean waves or breaking curls, formed when a faster layer of air slides over a slower one. In technical terms: Billows arising from Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at an interface with strong vertical shear and low static stability (Richardson number under 0.25); visible as fluctus cloud features and a source of clear-air turbulence.
Also called: KH Waves, Fluctus
Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves In Plain English
Clouds shaped like rolling ocean waves or breaking curls, formed when a faster layer of air slides over a slower one.
The Technical Definition
Billows arising from Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at an interface with strong vertical shear and low static stability (Richardson number under 0.25); visible as fluctus cloud features and a source of clear-air turbulence.
