Home >  Blossary: Clouds  >  Term: wall cloud
wall cloud

A wall cloud (or pedestal cloud) is a large, localized and persistent lowering cloud formation that develops beneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud that often forms tornadoes. It is typically beneath the rain-free base (RFB) portion of a thunderstorm, and indicates the area of the strongest updraft within a storm. Rotating wall clouds are an indication of a mesocyclone in a thunderstorm; most strong tornadoes form from these. Wall clouds do not always rotate, however.

0 0

Clouds

Category: Science

Total terms: 23

Creator

© 2024 CSOFT International, Ltd.