Recently, before storms make landfall, a phenomenon known as “tsunami clouds” often appears. The sky fills with thick, towering clouds, resembling a tsunami rising into the sky, creating a truly terrifying sight.
This rare phenomenon has officially been named as a new type of cloud in the Atlas of Clouds by the World Meteorological Organization. It is referred to as the “shelf cloud” or tsunami cloud – one of the two forms of arcus clouds.
The other type is called roll cloud, which are low-hanging clouds that form horizontally. The shelf cloud is typically associated with the leading edge of a thunderstorm outflow (the parent cloud).
The underside of a shelf cloud often experiences chaotic and turbulent winds or gusty winds in the front (these are frequently confused with wall clouds, which form behind a storm).
The phenomenon of “tsunami clouds” (also known as shelf clouds) usually appears before a storm makes landfall. These large clouds can stretch for several kilometers, dominating the sky.
Accompanying the “tsunami clouds” are heavy rainfall, strong gusts of wind, flooding, and hail.
In summary, the phenomenon of “tsunami clouds” can be explained as: “Tsunami clouds form when cold air from the storm lifts moist air suddenly.
As rain falls vertically from the storm, it pulls air horizontally, creating the rolling clouds in front of it.”
