The shelf clouds are a unique weather phenomenon. (representative photo)
The entire north of India is experiencing heavy rainfall, with warnings from regional weather bureaus warning of further rainfall. According to the Meteorological Department of India (IMD), the intense rainfall in the region, including Delhi, is due to an interaction of a westerly disturbance and monsoon winds. Uttarakhand has been the hardest hit as the IMD has issued a red alert warning that the hill state will experience extreme rainfall. And now a video has emerged on social media claiming to show shelf clouds in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.
The video shows the intimidating appearance of the clouds gaining popularity on social media. At a time when there is heavy rainfall in a region, such videos regularly appear on social media claiming that it is extreme. But there is no way to confirm the video videos.
DailyExpertNews cannot confirm the authenticity of the video. It appears to have been first posted on July 9 by a user named Anindya Singh, who said the clip was shared with him by a friend.
Shared by a friend. Shot today near Haridwar. Spectacular shelf cloud.
#Manali#Storm#Rain#thunderstorm#shelfcloudpic.twitter.com/he9KXg9qse
— Anindya Singh (@Anindya_veyron) July 9, 2023
However, the spectacular cloud formation has caught the attention of social media users who want to know more about the unique cloud formation.
What are shelf clouds?
According to the U.S. government’s National Weather Service (NWS), shelf clouds — also known as Arcus clouds — are often associated with powerful storm systems, and are often reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation.
These clouds are sometimes seen beneath cumulonimbus clouds, the dense, towering vertical cloud that produces intense rain.
How do shelf clouds form?
According to UK Met Office, when a cold downdraft from a cumulonimbus cloud reaches the ground, the cold air can quickly spread over the ground, pushing existing warm, moist air upwards. As this air rises, water vapor condenses into the patterns associated with shelf clouds.
The new cloud may roll as it experiences different wind directions above and below, the agency went on to say.
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