‘Awesome’ cloud formation off North Carolina explained by National Weather Service

A surreal cloud formation seen off the North Carolina coast has captured the attention of the National Weather Service, which says the phenomenon hints the weather is changing rapidly for the worse.

It’s called a shelf cloud, experts say.

“Check out this awesome picture,” the NWS office in Newport/Morehead City, said in a Facebook post.

“A shelf cloud is a low, wedged shaped cloud in association with the gust front (stronger winds) ahead of a thunderstorm. It can be a sign of severe winds, but not always. At the very least winds are about to pick up when you see these and often the winds will also change direction.”

The National Weather Service says such clouds “are often associated with squall lines (a group of storms in a line) and many times they are reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation.”

“It may appear to rotate on a horizontal axis,” the NWS adds.

The photo was taken by Garry Neal of Holly Ridge, a coastal town of about 1,200 people in Onslow County. It’s not clear when Neal took the photo.

Commenters on the National Weather Service post called the formation “cool but scary.” Many shared more photos of odd formations, while a few likened the cloud to depictions of UFO’s in movies.

“I was thinking....Independence Day ... space ship,” Rusty Wheeler posted on the NWS Facebook page.

“Amazing what mother nature can do,” Diana Lawrence posted.

This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 8:49 AM with the headline "‘Awesome’ cloud formation off North Carolina explained by National Weather Service."