Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: jamest on 01/08/2025 15:36:32

Title: QotW - 25.08.08 - What kind of cloud is this tube shaped one
Post by: jamest on 01/08/2025 15:36:32
Michelle writes in and attaches this picture: 'Below is a photo that I too at 02:15 in the morning of 12 June 2024. The photo hasn?t been cropped or changed in any way.

Unfortunately it doesn?t show the cloud as I saw it;  it looked like a tube.

It was an otherwise clear night and quiet cold as we were in the beginning of winter.

The cloud stretched quite a way back behind my house and into the distance in front.

What kind of cloud is this and what causes it?'
Title: Re: QotW - 25.08.08 - What kind of cloud is this tube shaped one
Post by: alancalverd on 01/08/2025 17:22:24
Conceivably a vapor trail from a single-engine ducted-fan aircraft https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/images/gallery/2013/ea-7optica_aeroelvira_g-bopo_10_oldwarden2013.jpg, or (more likely)  a roll cloud,  on the leading edge of a sea breeze front or (more rarely) downwind of a long straight ridge
https://greencomet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/roll-cloud-Daniela-Mirner-Eberl-290x290.jpg