Posted on 05/05/2013 6:41:51 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Is that a spaceship or a cloud? Although it may seem like an alien mothership, it's actually a impressive thunderstorm cloud called a supercell. Such colossal storm systems center on mesocyclones -- rotating updrafts that can span several kilometers and deliver torrential rain and high winds including tornadoes. Jagged sculptured clouds adorn the supercell's edge, while wind swept dust and rain dominate the center. A tree waits patiently in the foreground. The above supercell cloud was photographed in July west of Glasgow, Montana, USA, caused minor damage, and lasted several hours before moving on.
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[Credit & Copyright: Sean R. Heavey]
Where’s Charleton Heston?
That cloud looks angry and violent. Wow!!
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
What an amazing picture! I saw something similar the other night on a Storm Chasers show. The guys were chasing in OK, and came upon a super-cell that looked like this one. One of them is a professional photographer and got some great images.
I call them "moon clouds".
If this thunderstorm has something to do with astronomy, then meteorology has something to do with meteors.
Its called fotusimbus
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