Mountain waves forecasts
Mountain waves are an invisible danger in aviation. When an air current passes over a mountain range, wave movements are created in the atmosphere. These waves can reach enormous heights, break like water waves and cause strong turbulence.
However, breaking waves in the air are usually invisible to the eye. Aeroplanes consequently often fly unprepared into turbulent areas, which can be dangerous for passengers and crew.
The aviation weather services must therefore warn of mountain waves and provide forecasts accordingly. To do this, Austro Control uses our forecasting models developed in line with the latest science, which can forecast the intensity of the wave activity in the atmosphere. As such, Austro Control Digital Services makes a valuable contribution to safety in aviation.
Hard facts
- Turbulence caused by breaking mountain waves is a mostly invisible danger for crew and passengers on board of an aircraft
- Mountain waves can be predicted with specialized forecasts
- Innovation at the cutting edge of science
Benefits
- Intense mountain waves can be detected hours in advance
- Our forecast models are used by Austro Control in oder to facilitate the complex mountain ware forecast
- Pilots are informed about the possible occurrence of mountain waves before departure and can prepare accordingly
