C2C's 'Gulf Coast 'Hole Punch Cloud'

This picture is actually pretty weird.
The wisps of cloud coming from the center of the hole are quite odd.

Can someone shed some light on how this could be made?

www.coasttocoastam.com...

Image

image source: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/timages/page/Skypunch121807a.jpg



image source: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/timages/page/Skypunch121807b.jpg

I suppose it could be created by a column of rising air. It would have to be a heck of an updraft!

It looks like the opposite of those lone round clouds that have been photographed.

Wouldn't a column of rising air leave a messy distorted hole? Whatever force made this left the edges of the hole completely in tact. I would imagine that rising air currents would leave the edges wispy, no?

That is entirely possible. The reason I suggested the rising air is the wispy clouds seen in the hole, possibly at a higher altitude.

reply to post by IMAdamnALIEN

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Hey there IMAdamnALIEN,

Here's a similar photo that appeared in 'NEW SCIENCE' magazine a few months ago.

It was over the sea not too far from an oil rig. Can't remember the full article but they tried to say it was somehow connected. Never felt like a valid explanation to me but hey ... what do I know ?

atsmedia.cachefly.net...

Woody.

reply to post by IMAdamnALIEN

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The accepted theory is that ice crystals falling from a higher altitude form the hole and the wisps below.

Or it could be what some of us maybe thinking. A GIANT FRIGGIN UFO!!!!!
i wouldnt rule that one out. But science is far better then my day dreaming speculations.

reply to post by W3RLIED2

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Hey there W3RLIED2,

Yep ! That's exactly what I was thinking I like your style and subtltey

Woody.

Have you ever noticed how clouds form along the same types of shapes (fractal) as plasma?

I often notice how the thin, wispy tendrils employ plasma dynamics, and how often clouds will line up in lines and rings.

The wispy clouds in the middle...that is most intriguing.

But being over the ocean...aren't there methane and CO2 "bubbles" that rupture along the Gulf Coast quite a bit? Could one of these be responsible?

Otherwise, i will stick with my "leaky capacitor" theory of planetary science.

reply to post by IMAdamnALIEN

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Those wispy clouds are cirrus clouds. The lower layer of cloud is altocumulus. Altocumulus clouds (made from super cooled water droplets) exist from 8'000ft to around 20,000ft. Cirrus clouds (made from ice crystals) exist above 20,000ft. Due to the size of the cells in the altocumuls layer, I would guess its between 11,000ft and 16,000ft. I think the hole was caused by virga, which is precipitation not reaching the ground. Cirrus clouds very regularly produce virga that can fall thousands of feet but evaporates before it hits the ground. I hope this helps

Great pictures too

[edit on 19/12/2007 by OzWeatherman]

[edit on 19/12/2007 by OzWeatherman]

reply to post by woodwytch

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That photo is almost identical to the hole in the clouds the C2C listener posted!

Wow,
how come we havent seen any of these "holes" in the past?

reply to post by IMAdamnALIEN

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There has been plenty of holes in the past. I have seen a couple myself, dont know what the big hype is

reply to post by OzWeatherman

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i totally agree,
go to any site that has clouds listed by type and you wil see lots of these clouds. i have personally seen them on two occasions here in the UK.

try these sites:

www.ukweatherworld.co.uk...
www.ukweatherworld.co.uk...

earthobservatory.nasa.gov...

thanks

snoopyuk




[edit on 20-12-2007 by snoopyuk]

It really is an interesting phenomenon.

Here are some more.

wkrg.com...

Becker

Anyone ever heard of a tornado, looks like that to me but a much weaker down draft that didn't disturb the clouds edge. Odd but not supernatural.

reply to post by Becker44

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nice one Becker44,

there are some good examples on that site.

thanks

snoopyuk