"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
NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

If it felt like this summer was relentless an

12 Sep 2026 11:30 PM
Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

An active weather pattern will bring several

12 Sep 2026 11:30 PM
No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

12 Sep 2026 11:15 PM
Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

Stormy conditions in the Northeast will persi

12 Sep 2026 6:15 PM
High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

10 Sep 2026 11:10 AM
Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

10 Sep 2026 10:15 AM
Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

A relentless ridge of high pressure has been

10 Sep 2026 10:00 AM