A Supercell Storm Cloud Forming over Wyoming
Explanation:
How do supercell storm clouds form?
Pictured above
is a time-lapse video taken last Sunday detailing the formation of one such violent
supercell in
eastern
Wyoming,
USA.
Starting as part of a large and dark thunderstorm complex, the
supercell comes together along
with a large rotating updraft of air known as a
mesocyclone.
Mesocyclones
form during rapid changes in wind speed and direction with height and can produce
torrential rain,
damaging hail,
swirling winds, and sometimes tornadoes.
Storm watchers are seen studying, imaging, and ultimately running from the
developing
storm cloud during the video.
During the middle part of the video, the kilometer-wide
supercell can be
seen swirling ominously with a nearly
flat bottom.
Toward the end of the video, another swirling
supercell cloud forms but then quickly dissipates.
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Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
