Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Haunting '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 state’s 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 Post’s 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 state’s 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 Post’s 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
6 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
WOW, many thanks for posting, sending these around WOW
I’m too too jealous, h!! 
