Nephcurve

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-007500",
  "term": "Nephcurve",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "A J-shaped or S-shaped pattern of high-level clouds, primarily cirrus, visible in satellite imagery, particularly in the water vapor channel. This cloud signature indicates a region of strong upper-level winds and vorticity advection associated with a jet streak and an amplifying shortwave trough. The presence and evolution of a nephcurve are often precursors to rapid surface cyclogenesis, the development of an extratropical cyclone.",
  "see_also": [
    "isoneph"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/nephcurve/"
}