To the IFR pilot who is expected to maintain altitude those waves are negative and strong turbulence.
As Neil and LeSving said, there will be no or negligible turbulence in the waves themselves (the dangers are in the rotors – avoid!), but maintaining altitude can be difficult for a light aircraft due to strong up- and downdrafts.
steer clear seems to be the best advice.
It’s one advice. Far from the best advice. Besides, you cannot really steer clear of them when flying over mountainous terrain. It’s a matter of learning how to rake advantage of the winds, not fighting them. Airliners take advantage of jet streams high up, VFR pilots can take advantage of waves.
Glider pilots use waves as free lifts to very high altitudes. Obviously they know on which side to fly and they fly VFR with the goal of making altitude.
To the IFR pilot who is expected to maintain altitude those waves are negative and strong turbulence.
Well we have some differing opinions and if the up and down drafts can get very strong I think my a/p would complain a bit so steer clear seems to be the best advice.
The waves continue well downwind of any terrain. Very much best avoided – some nasty turbulence may lurk nearby.
The opposite in fact. These waves occurs because the wind is stratified. They pose no problem or danger, and the updraft (and downdraft) can get very strong. They are basically free lifts for anyone to use.
You can see wave clouds tens of miles downwind of the mountains. The turbulence is not usually in the lenticular itself but the rotor which is nearby.
The waves continue well downwind of any terrain. Very much best avoided – some nasty turbulence may lurk nearby.
That is interesting – I’ve never seen this without some pretty obvious terrain around.
My photograph was taken just east of Maastrich a few days ago. Over a flat plain with no oragraphic disturbance, it did get my attention.
