Storm Australian Severe Weather Forum

Severe Weather Discussion => General Weather - all topics not current severe weather. => Topic started by: Mike on 01 June 2007, 08:26:41 AM

Title: Hole Punch Clouds
Post by: Mike on 01 June 2007, 08:26:41 AM

MB, I was scanning through the photo gallery of yours and noticed a great photo of high level cloud with what seems to be a circular hole created by something (!).  I have no idea what it is, so could you explain some details of what you photographed?  Looks truly amazing!

Mike

Title: RE: Hole Punch Clouds
Post by: Michael Bath on 01 June 2007, 08:55:17 AM

Is it this sequence?
http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2006/mb20060817.html

(http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/thumbs/2006/0817mb03.jpg)

If so they are known as punch hole clouds. The holes develop as ice crystals above the main cloud layer fall through the clouds.

Title: RE: Hole Punch Clouds
Post by: Mike on 01 June 2007, 09:31:44 AM

I've never heard of them and never seen anything like it. Why does it look like a funnel?  Is there some particular atmospheric condition above the cloud that makes it do this - more information please!

It's just something that has caught my attention greatly.

mike

Title: Re: Hole Punch Clouds
Post by: Michael Bath on 01 June 2007, 09:49:14 AM

This is the best info I have found so far.
http://www.srh.weather.gov/mob/121103hole_punch/holepunch-main.html

Doesn't sound like it is well understood. Feel free to post any info you find.

Another example I took on 10th March 2006
http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2006/0310mb01.jpg

MB

Title: Re: Hole Punch Clouds
Post by: Mike on 01 June 2007, 10:35:25 AM

Checked the link to NOAA.  Well, well that was very interesting.  It really does look like something fell through the cloud blanket and left a gaping hole in it.

Thanks for that.  I might source some stuff out on it for interests sake.

Mike