Trailing Vortex

Wingtip vortecies are caused by a foil, or wing, creating lift.
At the tip of each wing, a tube of air is created, with high
velocities in the center, as well as very low pressure. With a
very low pressure, the temperature drops as well due to the low
heat exchange within the vortex. If the temperature within the
vortex tubes drops below the local due point, the water in the
center of the vortex may condense, making the trailing vortex
visible. These vortecies pose threats to other aircraft that
fly behind of these vortecies, especially for smaller planes.

As the wing creates lift, the high pressure air below the wing
moves above the wing, to the lower pressure zone, out to the
tip of the wing. The circulating air toward the tip then forms
the vortecies trailing from the tip. With larger aircraft, and
moving at a greater velocity will create stronger vortecies.

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