Karmen vortice

Karmen vortices are counter-rotating cloud spirals of stratocumulus clouds found in the wake of islands, visible from outer space. They are named after Von Karman, a Hungarian scientist who first mathematically described them.

As the predominant wind flows over and around islands in its path, they may form these spiraling eddies. An inversion is present and the island must penetrate that inversion for the vortices to form. If the island does not penetrate the inversion, a bow wave will form.

The bow wave itself resembles waves off the bow of a ship and is formed in the same way. The wind flow is deviated around the island. Generally there are clear skies over, and in the lee of the island.