Earth observations taken during STS-83 mission

STS083-749-079 (4-8 April 1997) --- Cloud wake covers the Leeward Islands. Like a ship making a wake in the water, Guadeloupe Island is making a wake in the clouds. Seeing certain weather features tells us information as to what the conditions were at the time the photo was taken. For instance, a solid cloud area is formed behind the island in this photo so the winds are under or at 5 meters per second (mps). If the winds were greater Von Karman Vortices would develop. Formation of Von Karman Vortices requires wind speeds of 5 and 13 mps and a strong low level temperature inversion below the highest peak of the island.