"One of the rarest clouds ever" forms over Nevada sky

news image
Special Stories
9 Mar 2018 4:41 PM
It is called a horseshoe cloud... Because, well, it's shaped like a horseshoe. Christy Grimes caught a glimpse of what the National Weather Service calls "one of the rarest clouds ever." https://twitter.com/NWSElko/status/972145339628249089 Grimes shot the photos near Battle Mountain Thursday and sent them to the National Weather Service office in Elko, Nevada. So, with it being one of the rarest clouds, everyone is stuck wondering how the clouds form. The Elko National Weather Service office gave this great explanation:
"An updraft pushes flattish cumulus clouds up and a horizontal vortex develops from differential updraft speeds. As the vortex climbs, it gets caught in the faster horizontal winds aloft, and the middle part of the vortex catches the faster speeds with the ends being slower. The result is that the center of the vortex pulls out ahead. Various time lapses can be found online."
So, if you ever see a horseshoe cloud, make sure to snap a photo, because you're one of the lucky ones.
All Weather News
More
Relentless Rainfall Continues for the South

Relentless Rainfall Continues for the South

The Southern United States has exhausted its

27 Jul 2024 12:45 AM
Man Arrested After "Pushing Fiery Car Into Gully" to Start Park Fire

Man Arrested After "Pushing Fiery Car Into Gully" to Start Park Fire

Wild developments have surfaced from the stat

27 Jul 2024 12:40 AM
Tropics: Bud in the E. Pacific, Wave in the Atlantic

Tropics: Bud in the E. Pacific, Wave in the Atlantic

Tropical Storm Bud formed in the Eastern Paci

26 Jul 2024 10:10 PM
Non-Stop Heat Into Next Week

Non-Stop Heat Into Next Week

A stagnant ridge of high pressure has led to

26 Jul 2024 9:55 PM
Saharan Dust Reaching the Southern U.S.

Saharan Dust Reaching the Southern U.S.

Conditions are quiet in the tropical Atlantic

26 Jul 2024 10:30 AM
Typhoon Gaemi Displays Unusual Spin Over Taiwan

Typhoon Gaemi Displays Unusual Spin Over Taiwan

Typhoon Gaemi (Kemi) is impacting Tawain this

25 Jul 2024 10:30 AM
Flash Flooding Ongoing in Texas and Louisiana

Flash Flooding Ongoing in Texas and Louisiana

Rounds of heavy rain have been creating scatt

25 Jul 2024 3:10 AM