mountain wave

American  

noun

1. the wavelike effect, characterized by severe updrafts and downdrafts, that occurs when rapidly flowing air encounters the steep front of a mountain range.

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Example Sentences

The gusts were the product of mountain wave wind conditions, meaning they were oriented in a way where they would rapidly drop down the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, causing strong, dangerous bursts.

From Los Angeles Times

Mountain wave - as air flows over a mountain it gets disrupted and can bounce up and down on the other side.

From BBC

On Dec. 31, McGregor wrote on Facebook that he was “keeping a close eye on the potential for mountain wave activity” on the night of Jan. 7 into the morning of Jan. 8 in the local foothills.

From Los Angeles Times

Mountain wave wind occurs when gusts rapidly drop down mountain slopes, then gain strength upon hitting a flat landscape, a weather phenomena that causes short bursts of strong, dangerous winds.

From Los Angeles Times

If we are fortunate and the house continues to survive this interminable fire season, we could comfort ourselves with the uniqueness of these ghastly circumstances — the 85-plus-mph “mountain wave” winds, the heavy rains in early spring followed by unusual dryness.

From Los Angeles Times