"Dubbed a horseshoe vortex cloud by the Cloud Appreciation Society, this unique cloud formation arises when a flat cloud, typically originating as a small cumulus cloud, encounters a column of warm, ascending air called a thermal. The magic begins as the air rises, condensing within the cooler upper layers of the atmosphere, creating the distinctive horseshoe shape.As the thermal column warms, the air within rises at different speeds. The middle section of the cloud ascends more rapidly compared to the ends, giving the cloud its characteristic horseshoe or staple-like appearance. The varying updraft speeds contribute to a subtle spin, earning the cloud its classification as a vortex cloud. As the cloud reaches higher elevations, it encounters stronger winds, causing the top or middle section to spin faster and allowing the cloud to gracefully disperse.These captivating clouds have a relatively short lifespan, typically lasting less than 20 minutes. They most commonly manifest during the afternoon or evening hours when the sun’s warmth has sufficiently heated the lower atmosphere, generating thermals that give rise to these ephemeral spectacles."
Found at Hasan Jasim. You learn something every day.
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