Transverse cirrus bands and aviation turbulence

Transverse cirrus bands are often observed within a variety of different weather systems, but their characteristics and the processes which lead to their formation are still not well understood. Transverse bands are often related to aviation turbulence, but this relationship is also not well understood. In this poster, we demonstrate the occurrence of these banded features within a variety of different weather systems. The occurrence of transverse cirrus bands within jet streams, tropical cyclones, midlatitude mesoscale convective systems, and extratropical cyclones is investigated using satellite imagery and photographs from space. The relationship between transverse bands and aviation turbulence is also illustrated using two case studies in which aircraft experienced turbulence while flying in the vicinity of the cirrus bands. The common characteristics among these banding and turbulence events, despite the diversity of weather systems within which they occur, are emphasized.