Updraft characteristics and thunderstorm strength
The visual appearance of the updraft can tell a lot about its strength and potential to produce a strong thunderstorm. As the updraft rises through …
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Meteor photography – how to photograph a meteor shower
It is always great to see spectacular meteors that photographers catch with their cameras. Are you tempted to try it yourself? Meteor shower photography is …
Heat Dome: Understanding the patterns that lead to extreme heatwaves
A heat dome is caused when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air as if bound by a lid or cap. The extensive dome traps warm …
Noctilucent Clouds: A rare atmospheric phenomenon
Have you ever seen noctilucent clouds (NLC)? These may be the most unusual and rare clouds you may ever see. Noctilucent clouds are to normal …
Types of convective clouds – from fair-weather clouds to thunderstorms
Convection forms distinct types of clouds. Convective clouds are divided into two types (genera): cumulus and cumulonimbus. Each successive kind and species displays more vertical …
Thunderstorm basics: Understanding the power of nature
In this section, we will take a general look at the thunderstorms. What is a typical thunderstorm? We will examine its essential components and how …
Back-sheared anvil: The role of wind shear in shaping cumulonimbus anvil
A back-sheared anvil is the expression for a cumulonimbus anvil that spreads against (upwind) into relatively strong winds (jet stream) aloft. Anvil vs. wind …
Understanding overshooting top in thunderstorms
Overshooting tops develop on thunderstorms that have powerful updrafts. Overshooting tops typically develop on Cumulonimbus capillatus incus clouds. The updraft punches through the equilibrium level …