Hole Punch Clouds

Hole Punch Clouds are simply high clouds that look like somebody punched a hole in them. The name is not scientific and sometimes you hear it as Punch Hole Clouds but they look unusual. If you look you could probably see them fairly often when we have Cirrus clouds but usually they are not too dramatic. On December 11, 2003 the sky was dramatic over Mobile County, Alabama. First, a layer of Altocumulus clouds moved in from the west. Even though these clouds were made of water droplets they were actually supercooled water. In other words, the temperature of the water was below freezing. These clouds were just below airplane condensation trails (contrails) indicating that the humidity was high at that level of the atmosphere. Then close to noon, within minutes, the blanket of Altocumulus clouds developed a hole. The hole turned out to be crystals of ice, transformed into regular Cirrus clouds, and then falling. By definition this was precipitation and since Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals, you could call it snow, fallstreaks, or Virga. It evaporated well before hitting the ground. All of this is common but what was uncommon was the perfect circular shape that grew within a matter of minutes. Washington County, Alabama later saw a similar event on January 29, 2007.

Flying Saucers Over Tarzana!

Here's a photo of three flying saucers hovering over the 101 in Tarzana during evening rush hour. Some people believe they are lenticular clouds. Of course, that's what "they" want us to think. Some of us know better... We know a UFO when we see one! Others among us believe them to actually be lenticular clouds. Technically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, lenticular clouds are said to be stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction. They have been "mistaken" for UFOs (or “visual cover” for UFOs) because these clouds have a characteristic lens appearance and smooth saucer-like shape. That sure looks like a UFO to me! What do you think?

Fire Rainbows

Yes, these are real. The technical name is: circumhorizon arc. They are most often seen near to the summer solstice when the sun is very high in the sky.

Awesome Clouds

The clouds are called Mammatus clouds. They do not precede a tornado, or foretell a storm, but are formed when the air is already saturated with rain droplets and/or ice crystals and begins to sink. The worst of the storm is usually over when these kind of clouds are seen. They are quite rare, but really beautiful.

Awesome Images of the Sky

Spectacular isn't it? And all we have to do is go outside and look up!

An interesting weather photo

Wow, this picture has it all: sunshine, rain, a tornado, and a rainbow!

Aurora Borealis

Spectacular, aren't they? Aurora light results from a solar shockwave that cause energetic electrons and protons to strike molecules in the Earth's atmosphere.

Storms moving in.

Awesome photos by Storm Chaser Mike Hollingshead