After analyzing GOES-15 water vapor imagery this morning, we noted a large area of wave packets across the inter-mountain west as a large midlevel low moved into the Pacific Northwest.  AIRMETS were issued across the northern Rockies for an area of upper-level turbulence (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Graphical AIRMET for turbulence valid at 1500 UTC.

Looking back even further last night, a distinct and consistent mountain-wave signature was evident on GOES-15 water vapor imagery across the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Fig. 2).  The signature becomes more apparent at 0630 UTC and a report of moderate turbulence occurred at approximately 0730 UTC as a Boeing 734 moved across the area.  This standing mountain-wave signature was most likely induced by an anomalous mid to upper-level jet streak that interacted with the mountains. 

Fig. 2 GOES-15 Water Vapor, 12-min jet positions, and pilot reports of turbulence between 0530 and 0930 UTC.