Njxc500 From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 219 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2400 times:
I have a question to pose for those who have seen it all. I'll start by stating that I was flying today at 2500' with clouds about 1000 or 1500 above me. I was moving along fine, and I see something just to the left of my path, and it is difficult to describe, and the pictures didn't turn out....It was a cloud to ground area of something. I can best describe it as looking like a small localized rain shower, except it was brown.... It was over a farm field that appeared it might be dusty. This was also occuring in a "less populated" area. I have about 300 hours flying now in Minnesota, and this one caught my eye quick. I deviated and stayed about 15 miles from this spot. This was definitely something I hadn't seen before.
What could cause this?
Small twister, updraft, or some small local phenomenon.
Lexy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 2362 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (5 years 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2384 times:
That's the single most disturbing video I have ever seen in my entire life.
Most likely a updraft or downdraft of some sort. Was this in the vicintiy of a thunderstorm? If so, then either of the two possible scenarios is likely.
Edited for spelling.
BTW, I took a look at Tay Zonday's website and he is quite talented with his voice without a doubt. That song above just caught me way offguard. LOL!!!
Njxc500 From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 219 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2358 times:
This was one day after the tornadoes they are talking about, the day was fairly stable, and the cold front had already moved in. I could see an updraft causing this but I doubt downdraft, because it was very fixed in shape, like a rainstorm has edges...
Njxc500 From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 219 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (5 years 3 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2180 times:
No, this wasn't a shadow, I have seen plenty of those. This was different, and really caught my eye. I am now told that that my rear passenger has a picture, I'm not sure of the quality, but I will post it ASAP.
Rampart From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 2871 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (5 years 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2133 times:
I teach intro meteorology (not my main thing, but I know some), and I'm a Skywarn member, so I'll take a shot, witthout seeing a picture and going from your description.
2) It could have been a weak tornado, but you indicate that the weather was relatively stable, and didn't mention that it was associated with a mesocyclone thunderstorm.
Love to see your picture if you get one. If you can't get it up here on the thread, IM me.
edit: let me also add downdraft or "gustnado", even though you don't think downdrafts are involved. Downdrafts can pick up dust and if wrapped into a small vortex can appear "defined". Here's another picture: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/document/wind/images/100402/gustnado1.gif They are caused by downdrafts.
Meteorologist From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (5 years 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 2103 times:
As a meteorologist, I'd be curious to see what pictures you have because I'm not entirely certain what you might be talking about, however my guesses would be dust devil or land spout as Rampart said. Dust devils are very common out west here in drier areas where low level stability can be very low due to a super adiabatic layer near the surface about some dark colored farm lands but the deeper layer wouldn't support any such development.
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