Which environment is most conducive to wake turbulence formation?

Wake turbulence is primarily produced by the vortexes created at the wingtips of an aircraft as it generates lift. These vortices are strongly affected by environmental factors. In mountainous regions, the landscape can heighten the effects of turbulence due to the rising and turbulent air created by the uneven terrain.

When an aircraft flies over mountainous areas, the interaction of its vortices with the varying airflow patterns can intensify the wake turbulence. The undulating surfaces and the elevation changes contribute to a more chaotic airspace, which can allow the wake turbulence to persist longer and be more influential compared to other environments.

In contrast, flat terrains, coastal areas, and urban cityscapes do not provide the same turbulence-enhancing interactions as mountainous regions do. Flat terrains lack the vertical air movement that can amplify wake effects, while coastal areas often have more stable, horizontal airflow due to water influence. Urban areas might experience some turbulence from buildings, but these do not significantly enhance wake turbulence in the same manner as mountain formation does. Therefore, mountainous regions create the most conducive environment for wake turbulence formation due to the complex interactions of airflow caused by the terrain.