What is likely to occur in flight conditions below ridge height during rotor streaming?

When flying below ridge height during rotor streaming, the atmospheric conditions can lead to severe to extreme turbulence. Rotor streaming typically occurs when strong winds flow over a ridge or mountain range, causing air to become rapidly disrupted and form a turbulent rotational flow downwind of the ridge. This phenomenon can generate significant vertical motions and a highly chaotic airflow pattern, making the flight conditions very challenging and unpredictable.

Flying in such conditions exposes an aircraft to unpredictable wind shifts, strong downdrafts, and turbulence that can easily exceed the limits of smooth flying. The turbulent air can create hazardous situations, particularly for pilots who are unprepared for the intensity of the turbulence that can manifest below ridge heights. Therefore, the characteristic turbulence associated with rotor streaming is appropriately classified as severe to extreme.