During my internship this summer I wrote this small article about shelf clouds. We were experiencing some afternoon storms in Alabama and several storm spotters captured this beautiful cloud on film, yet were confused at what they were actually seeing. The article didn’t get published because of computer difficulties. Here’s a little information to clear up any shelf cloud confusion. The Starkville area will be receiving some rain on Sunday, so if storms are associated with this front then keep an eye out for some possible shelf clouds.
A shelf cloud is defined as a low, horizontal, semicircular cloud associated with a thunderstorm’s gust front. It is most commonly found at the leading edge of a line of thunderstorms. These rolling clouds form due to the outflow of the storm. The outflow is the energy left over from the rain-cooled shaft of air rushing to the ground. Basically, the excess air from the updraft from the storm pushes outward and forms a cloud that looks like a log.
These clouds are associated by strong winds and are followed by heavy rain. Shelf clouds do not have inflow, so therefore tornadoes will never develop from them. The major threat from a shelf cloud is the strong straight line winds that could produce damage such as uprooted trees or toppled power lines.
If you are lucky enough to spot one stay safe while observing its beauty. Remember to be prepared to grab that umbrella because those torrential downpours will come shortly after.
~Leah Dailey
(X-Ray)
A shelf cloud is defined as a low, horizontal, semicircular cloud associated with a thunderstorm’s gust front. It is most commonly found at the leading edge of a line of thunderstorms. These rolling clouds form due to the outflow of the storm. The outflow is the energy left over from the rain-cooled shaft of air rushing to the ground. Basically, the excess air from the updraft from the storm pushes outward and forms a cloud that looks like a log.
These clouds are associated by strong winds and are followed by heavy rain. Shelf clouds do not have inflow, so therefore tornadoes will never develop from them. The major threat from a shelf cloud is the strong straight line winds that could produce damage such as uprooted trees or toppled power lines.
If you are lucky enough to spot one stay safe while observing its beauty. Remember to be prepared to grab that umbrella because those torrential downpours will come shortly after.
~Leah Dailey
(X-Ray)
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