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Storm Chasing Forum - storms tornadoes and tropical cyclones » Severe Weather Discussion » General Weather - all topics not current severe weather. » Topic: Hole Punch Clouds
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Hole Punch Clouds

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  • Mike
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Hole Punch Clouds   on: 31 May 2007, 03:26:41 PM
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
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RE: Hole Punch Clouds   Reply #1 on: 31 May 2007, 03:55:17 PM
Is it this sequence?
http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/2006/mb20060817.html



If so they are known as punch hole clouds. The holes develop as ice crystals above the main cloud layer fall through the clouds.
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RE: Hole Punch Clouds   Reply #2 on: 31 May 2007, 04:31:44 PM
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.

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Re: Hole Punch Clouds   Reply #3 on: 31 May 2007, 04:49:14 PM
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
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Re: Hole Punch Clouds   Reply #4 on: 31 May 2007, 05:35:25 PM
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
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