Gravity waves over Indian Ocean seen by Himawari-9 satellite

A series of roll clouds over the Indian Ocean on September 11 and 12 revealed the atmospheric gravity waves traveling through the lower regions of the atmosphere, just a few hundred meters above the ocean surface.

These waves were caused by thunderstorms and a southerly wind change over the northern regions of Western Australia on September 11. By the local afternoon of September 12, the waves had already traveled more than 900 km (559 miles) off the state’s northwest coast.

Atmospheric gravity waves are ripples caused by air passing through the sky in a wave-like motion. They are triggered when a disturbance occurs in the stable layer of the atmosphere, known as a temperature inversion.

These disturbances can range from air passing over a mountain to rising air inside a thunderstorm. Atmospheric gravity waves can cause thin bands of clouds to form at the crest of each wave, where the rising air has cooled enough to cause condensation, creating a striking display under the right circumstances.

References:

¹ Atmospheric gravity waves spotted off Australia’s northwest coast – Weatherzone – September 12, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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