Rare Clouds and the Physics Behind Them

clipped from www.wired.com Weird, Rare Clouds and the Physics Behind Them clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com clipped from www.wired.com The Morning Glory phenomenon is the result of the particular configuration of the land and sea on the Cape York Peninsula, in a remote part of Australia. The peninsula tapers off from about 350 miles wide to 60 miles as it extends north between the Gulf of Carpentaria to the west and the Coral Sea to the east. The easterly trade winds push the sea breeze across the peninsula during the daytime, which meets the sea breeze from the west coast in the late evening. The collision produces a wave disturbance moving inland to the southwest that is a key part of the cloud formation. As moist sea air is lifted to the crest of the waves, it cools and condensation forms a cloud. Sometimes there is just one wave, but Smith has seen as many as 10 together in a series.