Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Roll Cloud Over Wisconsin

NASA ^ | September 08, 2013 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: What kind of cloud is this? A type of arcus cloud called a roll cloud. These rare long clouds may form near advancing cold fronts. In particular, a downdraft from an advancing storm front can cause moist warm air to rise, cool below its dew point, and so form a cloud. When this happens uniformly along an extended front, a roll cloud may form. Roll clouds may actually have air circulating along the long horizontal axis of the cloud. A roll cloud is not thought to be able to morph into a tornado. Unlike a similar shelf cloud, a roll cloud is completely detached from their parent cumulonimbus cloud. Pictured above, a roll cloud extends far into the distance as a storm approached in 2007 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: Megan Hanrahan (Pierre cb), Wikipedia]

[SunkenCiv]

The Big One

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[Diana in Wisconsin]

Neat! I’ve had ‘shelf clouds,’ which are the younger sibling to these, over my Back Forty. Simply amazing to see! :)

[blueunicorn6]

I don’t know. For some reason, that photo reminds me of the time when Brenda and I were in the cab of the pickup after the dance and she wanted to show me her nimbus.

[lbryce]

There are myriad examples of just such weird cloud formations.
Do Google Image Search "weird cloud formations"

[Banjoguy]

The first time I saw one of these in Atlantic City, NJ, I thought all hell was going to break loose...scared the wits out of me, as I was driving along the shore line at the time.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Cloud formation over Wisconsin. Anybody know where? It’s just gry and drizzly here. No spectacular clouds in sight.

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest png list.

[Elsiejay]

Cumulo nimbus mammatus, I presume, and a most unusual display.

[G Larry]

Never seen one of these in life or pics.

Would be a scary sight!

[Thorliveshere]

I love the roll clouds! They look so imposing...

[lbryce]

Google Image Search "Cumulonimbus mammatus"

[LiberConservative]

Saw one of these once when I was in CO. Very impressive and scary.

[Just another Joe]

It's actually 'wormhole'.
Don't those people know ANYTHING?

[huldah1776]

2007

[huldah1776]

Totally awesome! I was just thinking yesterday how clouds are like snowflakes, no two alike. I don’t get out much beyond my back porch. Wonderful clouds this summer.

[huldah1776]

had to look for more with explanations:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/09/clouds/

[lbryce]

Must See Post #11.

[mikrofon]

Cool pic!

Throw in a bunch of sharks & it would look like a tsunami scene from a bad sci-fi flick ....

[Wiser now]

The first photo is of lenticular clouds. The second is mammatus. Mammatus clouds usually follow a thunderstorm and are full of moisture.

[afraidfortherepublic]

LOL. Well, that’s not exactly “breaking news”, is it?