Mysterious Tubular Clouds Defy Explanation

[-fox-]

'Mysterious Tubular Clouds Defy Explanation'

 

It's an article I found won 'Wired'. Any Ideas what could cause such clouds?

[topol-m]

3 diesel powered UFOs racing each other? :blink:

[jerom1992]

A lot of jets flying in three tight groups of 100.

[EtherealN]

Judging by altitude, it could be a peculiar form of a "cloud street" which is basically when thermal-generated cumulus line up due to various atmospheric phenomena. They are however extraordinarily "tubular" indeed, and the fact that they extend to the sean in the picture is peculiar. (Depends on wind, though, note how one of them seems to end when hitting the ocean, and being preceded by what appears to be a dying cumulus.)

 

The interesting bit is they claim that they happen during no-wind conditions as well (though begs the question of how they define no-wind), which would rule out any relationship to cloudstreets which, basically, is just regular cumulus whose thermals have been aligned by wind. (They are awesome for distance flying in a glider, since you can fly straight and constantly gain altitude, rather than having to circle in smaller thermals.)

 

Another thought would be a phenomenon similar to wave clouds but at a lower altitude. The proximity to the seaboard hints at a connection to ground interference causing some kind of structure in the air, but... Damned if I can guess on the specifics. Wave clouds don't have such sharply defined contours. So some kind of pressure wave structure linked to the shoreline is causing sufficiently sharp changes in pressure to cause something similar to cumulus in a preculiar shape.

 

Or UFO's.

 

EDIT:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Morningglory_satellite_small.jpg

 

Found that picture on wikipedia, and that completely rules out any kind of relationship to simple cloudstreets.

[CE_Mikemonster]

I didn't read the writing, was just gonna say that these were in Oz - slightly more comprehensive reply there Ethereal.. :)

[Shaman]

Fantastic! I used to work as aviation meteorologist, it is breathtaking! Never knew about them!

[Mustang]

*Waits for the chemtards to show up... :music_whistling: :D

[159th_Viper]

'Morning Glory Clouds' :megalol:

 

Priceless!

 

Pretty Though :D

[topol-m]

"We come in peace" :alien:

[joey45]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

oh man....

[Rhino4]

It would be my dream to hang glide with these clouds. That's what the article is talking about when it speaks of "cloud surfing". Check it out:

 

(horrible music tho)

[Zorrin]

Much rather have an engine for that and just zip along the cloud tops. Just gotta watch out for the silver lining it's usually another idiot doing what you are...