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Related: About this forumHaunting 'mothership' shelf clouds sweep through Wisconsin along intense storm complex (Photos)
Capital Weather Gang
Haunting mothership shelf clouds sweep through Wisconsin along intense storm complex (Photos)
Shelf cloud photographed in Onalaska, Wis., May 16. (Kyle Nyman via Twitter)
By Jason Samenow
May 16 at 11:33 AM
As a vigorous complex of thunderstorms barreled southeast through central and southern Wisconsin Thursday morning, it was fronted by a menacing, wicked-looking cloud formation.
The dark, protruding, multilayered clouds were known as shelf clouds or shelfies, common in thunderstorms.
Some of the best examples came from Madison, where the storms swept through between 8:30 and 9 a.m. local time. The storms in the states capital had more bark than bite producing just brief downpours and wind gusts to around 30 mph.
Shelf clouds form from cold air or outflow racing out ahead of the storm, which sinks and clashes with warm, moist air feeding into it. The humid air rises quickly through this cold layer and condenses into a horizontal cloud resembling a shelf. Sometimes, this happens in multiple layers resulting in a stunning shelf deck resembling a massive flying saucer or mothership.
As a shelf cloud arrives, there is usually a sudden burst of heavy rain and strong winds. Then the intensity of the storm tends to ease.
....
See more stunning views of the shelf clouds associated with these storms below...
{snip}
Shelf cloud seen from roof of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (UW-Madison SSEC/AOS)
....
Jason Samenow is The Washington Posts weather editor and Capital Weather Gang's chief meteorologist. He earned a master's degree in atmospheric science and spent 10 years as a climate change science analyst for the U.S. government. He holds the Digital Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association. Follow https://twitter.com/capitalweather
Haunting mothership shelf clouds sweep through Wisconsin along intense storm complex (Photos)
Shelf cloud photographed in Onalaska, Wis., May 16. (Kyle Nyman via Twitter)
By Jason Samenow
May 16 at 11:33 AM
As a vigorous complex of thunderstorms barreled southeast through central and southern Wisconsin Thursday morning, it was fronted by a menacing, wicked-looking cloud formation.
The dark, protruding, multilayered clouds were known as shelf clouds or shelfies, common in thunderstorms.
Some of the best examples came from Madison, where the storms swept through between 8:30 and 9 a.m. local time. The storms in the states capital had more bark than bite producing just brief downpours and wind gusts to around 30 mph.
Storm approaching the @UWMadison campus. Photo taken from the top of the @UWCIMSS @UWSSEC and @UW_AOS building.
Link to tweet
Shelf clouds form from cold air or outflow racing out ahead of the storm, which sinks and clashes with warm, moist air feeding into it. The humid air rises quickly through this cold layer and condenses into a horizontal cloud resembling a shelf. Sometimes, this happens in multiple layers resulting in a stunning shelf deck resembling a massive flying saucer or mothership.
Link to tweet
Beautiful 😍 @NWSMKX @uwhealth #wiwx
Link to tweet
As a shelf cloud arrives, there is usually a sudden burst of heavy rain and strong winds. Then the intensity of the storm tends to ease.
....
See more stunning views of the shelf clouds associated with these storms below...
Mother Nature is just showing off today! 😱
#Madison // #LakeMendota
Link to tweet
Great shot of a shelf cloud in advance of thunderstorms this morning. Taken in the Town of Medary, WI.
Thanks to Curtis Bisek for the photo.
#wiwx #ShelfCloud
Link to tweet
{snip}
Shelf cloud seen from roof of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences building at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (UW-Madison SSEC/AOS)
....
Jason Samenow is The Washington Posts weather editor and Capital Weather Gang's chief meteorologist. He earned a master's degree in atmospheric science and spent 10 years as a climate change science analyst for the U.S. government. He holds the Digital Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association. Follow https://twitter.com/capitalweather
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Haunting 'mothership' shelf clouds sweep through Wisconsin along intense storm complex (Photos) (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
May 2019
OP
Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)1. IS THIS REAL LIFE??!?!
WOW, many thanks for posting, sending these around WOW
htuttle
(23,738 posts)2. Saw it with my own eyes
It was pretty amazing.
Then it was really wet.
Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)4. Ah, but it was worth a good dousing, amirite?!
Im too too jealous, h!!
htuttle
(23,738 posts)5. It was worth it at first, lol
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)3. I, for one,
welcome our participation overlords.
BigmanPigman
(51,635 posts)6. I have never seen anything like this!
VERY COOL!