25 March 1998 -- GOES-10 6.7 Micron IR (Water Vapor)
Mountain Waves Over Colorado and New Mexico

GOES-10 6.7 micron IR (water vapor) 30-image Animation

GOES-10 6.7 micron IR (water vapor) imagery shows widespread mountain waves (also known as "trapped waves" or "resonant lee waves") over Colorado and New Mexico on 25 March 1998. These waves form when the middle-tropospheric winds are perpendicular to the orientation of significant mountain ranges. Such a signature on water vapor imagery can often indicate clear air turbulence, which is a potential aviation hazard.