Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Spectacular cloud holes yesterday

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 05:01 PM GMT on Januar 30, 2007

An unusually large series of cloud holes developed over Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Alabama yesterday, which were captured by several alert wunderphotographers (see the thumbnail images at the bottom). These cloud holes (also called "dissipation trails" or "distrails") are formed when an aircraft passes through a deck of clouds containing water drops that have cooled below the freezing point of water. The exhaust particles of the aircraft's engines serve as nuclei for the supercooled water drops to freeze on, and the resulting ice crystals fall towards the ground as "fall streaks". Also, engine heat and turbulence along the wing tips mixes moist and dry air, helping create clear holes. It typically takes about 20 minutes for a cloud hole to form after an airplane has passed, so it is not obvious that a aircraft create the holes.

Visible image of the clouds holes of January 29, 2007, as seen by NASA's Terra satellite.

For more detailed information on this event, including animations and upper-air plots, see the University of Wisconsin CIMSS Satellite blog.

I'll have a preview on Wednesday of the upcoming blockbuster climate report scheduled to be released Friday by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Jeff Masters

Alabama Sky (southgirl)

Very cold here in Alabama. Temp this am was 20 degrees. Brrrr

Negative Contrail 1 (WeatheringHeights)

Even though I was sick as a dog (and home from work), I went out in the freezing cold this morning and took pictures, when I saw this cloud out the window. I just couldn't miss this one. ;) The second photo is looking west, this one was looking east. I sent it to the Chief Meteorologist at KXAS-TV - NBC5 in Dallas-Fort Worth. Here's what he said.... "It's a kind of 'negative' contrail. Apparently the jet exhaust caused the cirrus cloud layer to condense and fall out as snow, leaving a gap in the clouds. I don't think I've ever seen one like it.

Cloud1 (eds0736)

Strange

Categories: Atmospheric Phenomena

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202. Tazmanian 03:41 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Agree cyclonebuster has long as you keep the Global Warming part out for a day or so ok? Member Since: Maj 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111355

204. Inyo 04:00 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
well the last La Nina brought more rain than the current El Nino, and rains this year only started when El Nino fizzled. So i say, bring on the La Nina (for the west coast anyway.. we don't need any more Gulf hurricanes) Member Since: September 3, 2002 Posts: 42 Comments: 765

205. weatherboykris 04:02 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
anyone on? Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

206. pottery 04:35 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
who's up at this hour. Its Friday where I am. Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

207. pottery 04:37 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Or maybe its Wednesday. What day is it anyway ? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

208. weatherboykris 04:40 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
It's not Friday anywhere on earth Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

209. weatherboykris 04:41 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
11:38 PM here. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

210. pottery 04:41 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Cant be Friday, cause yesterday was Tuesday. Today is certainly Wednesday. And we are all still here. Except for the ones that are not, of course. Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

211. weatherboykris 04:42 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
so how are you doing? Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

212. pottery 04:44 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Its strange hearing from you , as you are still yesterday.......... Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

213. weatherboykris 04:44 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
knock it off.LOL.What do you think of the El Nino? Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

214. pottery 04:44 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Are you a voice from the past ????? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

215. pottery 04:46 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
I,m from the future. What do you wish to know about tomorow ? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

216. weatherboykris 04:47 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
stop it. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

217. pottery 04:51 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
El Nino has gone away. The predictions were out again. The forecasters are basing thier predictions on historical info that no longer applies. We are flying blind now, and noone can acurately predict the weather or climate with more than 50 % accuracy. Thats what I think....... Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

218. pottery 04:53 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
But there is a 50 % chance I may be wrong !! Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

219. pottery 04:54 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
I hope I have not upset you ........ Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

220. weatherboykris 04:56 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
not really.But seriously,it looks just about over. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

221. pottery 04:59 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Can you recall what the original forecast was, back in Nov. ? I'm trying to remember, but the head is tired... Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

222. pottery 05:01 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
I think that it was to sustain until June, and dissipate by August. Is that right ? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

223. weatherboykris 05:02 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
from December 9th... Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

224. pottery 05:03 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Oh, and its Wed. where you are too, so everything is cool. Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

225. weatherboykris 05:07 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Yeah,I've finally caught up. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

226. pottery 05:08 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
OK. So what do you think caused the change to normal so early in the year. Any ideas ? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

227. weatherboykris 05:10 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Things just didn't develop the way they were supposed to I geuss...you? Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

228. weatherboykris 05:15 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
goodnight Pottery. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

229. pottery 05:17 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Exactly ! But why didnt they develop as expected ? My point earlier is pertinent here. We are basing our forecasts on what USED to happen. The climate has changed, and will continue to do so. So we are attempting to predict the weather using outdated info. This will change as we understand what is happening NOW, but the info we are getting is not enough yet. Ice caps melting, ocean temps changing, hot dry air from Africa reaching Florida etc. Its all too new........ Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

230. pottery 05:18 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Nite Nite........ Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

231. pottery 05:19 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Any insomniacs out there ? Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

232. pottery 05:28 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
In the morning then........................... Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

233. Brunski 06:09 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
insomniac? you people from the future tire easy. It's only 10pm Tuesday in Cali. - of course, there's no weather here to type about... so, later! Member Since: December 21, 2006 Posts: 1 Comments: 41

234. HadesGodWyvern 08:26 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
TCWC DARWIN: Northern Territory Australia TROPICAL LOW 11.3�S 135.6�E - 25 knots 1001 hPa Tropical Cyclone Advisory ========================== Tropical Low is situated in the southern Arafura Sea about 80 km north of Elcho Island and 165 km northwest of Nhulunbuy. The Tropical Low is reported moving east at 8 knots. Tropical Cyclone Watch ========================= A CYCLONE WATCH is now current from Elcho Island to Numbulwar, including Nhulunbuy and Groote Eylandt. Member Since: Maj 24, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 36688

235. HurricaneMyles 11:41 AM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Pottery....We've never done well with ENSO forecasts. I dont think the state of climate change is really make those predictions any worse because they we're already bad to begin with. Member Since: Januar 12, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 827

236. weatherboykris 12:13 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
good morning Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

237. biff4ugo 01:51 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
There was a photo just like this a month or so ago called "dove in a hole" but now I can't find it. I thought it was some sort of thermal microburst of vertical activity. Didn't think of something as narrow or linear as a contrail. The falling snow in it makes a cool "ice bird" pattern inside the clear nucleated hole. Member Since: December 28, 2006 Posts: 107 Comments: 1187

238. Patrap 02:23 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
50 frame CIMSS MIMIC of DORA..Vmax 77knots peak Link Member Since: Juli 3, 2005 Posts: 372 Comments: 111605

239. weatherguy03 02:25 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
ENSO predictions and climate change dont mix. Early season tropical predictions will be interesting! Member Since: Juli 5, 2005 Posts: 581 Comments: 29680

240. weatherboykris 02:49 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
nice Patrap Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

241. weatherboykris 02:49 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
got that for any other storms? Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

242. weatherboykris 03:18 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
looks like maybe an EWRC in the cards soon?The southern rainband seems to be getting stronger. Member Since: December 9, 2006 Posts: 125 Comments: 11343

243. snotly 03:23 PM GMT on Januar 31, 2007
Actually it is Friday here on earth near the event horizon of a tiny black hole south of Cleavland - TGIF! Member Since: August 27, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 668

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