JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Occasionally, our gaze is drawn to atmospheric phenomena that appear a bit beyond the ordinary, sparking thoughts of the fantastic or even the paranormal. However, more often than not, there's a logical explanation behind these atmospheric mysteries. Recently, several individuals across the First Coast shared intriguing images of an unusually shaped cloud, prompting questions. Is this aliens? Fear not, it's not aliens; rather, it's an atmospheric occurrence known as a "cloud punch" or a "fall streak."
This captivating image, while not of extraterrestrial origin, is far from a natural cloud formation. Instead, it's a result of an aircraft passing through the cloud. Although aircraft routinely traverse clouds, the appearance of a cloud punch is not an everyday sight. Several factors must align for this phenomenon to manifest.
To understand this, it's essential to know that mid- to upper-level clouds often contain supercooled water droplets—droplets below freezing that haven't yet undergone freezing. This mirrors the phenomenon observed during ice storms when water droplets freeze upon contact with a surface.
In the presence of supercooled droplets, they remain in a liquid state until provided with a reason to freeze. When an aircraft penetrates such a cloud, it introduces ice crystals, prompting the supercooled droplets to freeze and descend as snow, creating a hole. The physics of this process, coupled with the introduction of ice crystals, initiates a feedback loop, causing the hole to expand well beyond the size of the airplane. This leaves behind an unusual image—a tube of falling snow within the vast opening in the cloud.
As we transition into the winter months in Jacksonville, with a considerable volume of air traffic over the city, don't be surprised if you witness such peculiar sights in the sky, especially on days abundant with Stratocumulus clouds.
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