There are some pilots who don't pay attention to all the ''signs''...one of which is a change in outside air temp (static air temp).
Excellent point. I always look at the flight plan for next 300 miles ahead and note the temp, the altitude of the trop, and the winds. Was told many years ago that if two of the three are changing in roughly 300 miles or less (think of 10 degrees or so going over the north atlantic or pacific) then there is a good (not certain of course) of rough air. Has proven to be remarkably accurate.
Of course if just one is changing (and changing significantly) then of course all bets are also off.
Not checking it ever 5 seconds, but I do try to keep Prog page 2 (777) displayed so as to look at the SAT.
Piltdown
some were the edges of jetstreams and the rest were mountain wave.
Agreed! North side of jetstream, kinks in the jetstream, the jetstream nipping the trop etc. all can be hazardous.
Would be fun if one could see a computer generated graphic as to what the atmosphere looked like when all this is going on--particulary what the waves are riding up and over in the upper atmosphere.