Find out what the Roll Clouds are, the rare roll clouds spotted on June 29, 2025 near Cabo da Roca during the heat wave on the Atlantic.
The roll cloudalso known as Rotal cloudsthey are spectacular and rare cloud formations with the appearance of long water vapor cylinders, in rapid movement and with an extension that can overcome Tens of kilometers. These clouds, belonging to the family of Arcus Cloudare distinguished by theirs tubular shape and for the fact of being completely detached from the main storm clouds.
An extraordinary example of roll cloud the June 29, 2025when a drone immortalized a gigantic roll cloud while advanced threateningly fromAtlantic Ocean to the beaches of Cabo da Rocain the south-western region of Portugal. The event occurred during a strong heat wavecreating the ideal conditions for the formation of this atmospheric phenomenon as rare as fascinating.
How the Roll Clouds are formed
The roll cloud they generate when one Descendant current of cold aircoming from a cumulonembo During the maturation phase, it reaches the ground and expands horizontally. This colder air flow raises thehot and humid air present in the low atmospheric layers: the rapid cooling causes the condensation of water vaporgiving rise to the characteristic rolling cloud.
A key element in the formation of roll cloud It is the presence of Wind Shearor a variation of the speed and wind direction with altitude. This phenomenon induces the Rotation of the cloud around its horizontal axis, giving it the typical cylindrical shape.
Characteristics and phenomena associated with roll cloud
The roll cloud are considered atmospheric solitary wavesor lonelycapable of maintaining their shape even by traveling long distances. Although not directly associated with rainfalltheir appearance can anticipate the arrival of adverse weather conditionslike strong gusts of wind or imminent thunderstorms.
A famous case is the Morning Glory Australian, one roll cloud which can extend to beyond 1,000 kilometers along the Gulf of Carpentariastudied by meteorologists and enthusiasts from all over the world for his regularity And grandeur.
The roll cloud They remain one of the most suggestive phenomena of heaven: their sighting, like the recent one in Portugalalways represents a exceptional event both for the scientific community that for the random observers.
