NASA’s Terra satellite captured Cavum and Altocumulus Clouds that are seen as ‘odd holes’ in the clouds above the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Florida.
About Cavum Clouds:
- Cavum Clouds are also known as “hole-punch” or fallstreak holes.
- They form when airplanes fly through altocumulus clouds, which contain water that is cold but still liquid.
- As the plane passes through, the cold water turns into ice crystals because of a change in pressure.
- These ice crystals get heavy and fall, creating a visible hole in the cloud layer.
- People have noticed these intriguing clouds for over 13 years.
- They usually form when planes fly through the clouds at a sharp angle.
- They often look circular or oval and can appear linear when formed by an airplane.
About Altocumulus Clouds:
- Altocumulus Clouds usually gather in groups and look somewhat like fish scales, earning the name “mackerel sky”.
- They are found in the middle of the atmosphere, sitting lower than cirrocumulus but higher than cumulus clouds.
- They are part of a group of clouds known for their rounded masses or layered appearance.
- When these clouds look tall, like towers, they suggest that thunderstorms might develop later.
- They typically form at heights ranging from 2,000 to 6,100 meters (6,600 to 20,000 feet) above the ground.
- A wide spread of these clouds is often called altocumulus mackerel sky and is associated with certain weather patterns.
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