Roll cloud
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A roll cloud is a low, horizontal tube-shaped arcus cloud associated with a thunderstorm gust front, or sometimes a cold front. Roll clouds can also be a sign of possible microburst activity.
Roll clouds are relatively rare; they differ from shelf clouds by being completely detached from the thunderstorm base or other cloud features. Roll clouds usually appear to be "rolling" about a horizontal axis.
[edit] Formation
Cool air sinking air from a storm cloud's downdraft spreads out across the surface with the leading edge called a gust front. This outflow undercuts warm air being drawn into the storm's updraft. As the cool air lifts the warm moist air water condenses creating cloud, which often rolls with the different winds above and below (wind shear).
[edit] See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
- Morning glory cloud - an extremely long and even more rare variety of roll cloud.
[edit] External links
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