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tropical wave A wave like disturbance of the trade winds that comes out of the east. It is a longitudinal trough moving westward at some 12 knots or so within the trade wind belt. The trough shifts the NE trades to E and then to SE as it passes bringing clouds, rain, and gusty wind when the winds have gone easterly, with the weather clearing as they move back to the E and NE. The duration of passing is 2 to 3 days, but the gusty wind conditions could last for a shorter period. See Modern Marine Weather for a description of how these systems can lead to hurricane formation when they run against a bulge in the doldrums. See also Monsoon Trof. In WXTL see G249.

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