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3 Definitions

Wall cloud

For Wall cloud we have terms and definitions in 3 topics. The topics are Climatology, Satellite Meteorology and Weather.



Wall Cloud (Climatology)

A generally rain-free region of rotating clouds which extends beneath a severe thunderstorm and from which a funnel cloud may form


Wall Cloud (Satellite Meteorology)

A lowered region of rotating cloud underneath the rear of a severe thunderstorm from which a tornado may form. A wall cloud marks a very strong updraft.


Wall Cloud (Weather)

A localized, persistent, often abrupt lowering from a rain-free base. Wall clouds can range from a fraction of a mile up to nearly five miles in diameter, and normally are found on the south or southwest (inflow) side of the thunderstorm. When seen from within several miles, many wall clouds exhibit rapid upward motion and cyclonic rotation. However, not all wall clouds rotate. Rotating wall clouds usually develop before strong or violent tornadoes, by anywhere from a few minutes up to nearly an hour. Wall clouds should be monitored visually for signs of persistent, sustained rotation and/or rapid vertical motion. See Fig. 7, supercell.
"Wall cloud" also is used occasionally in tropical meteorology to describe the inner cloud wall surrounding the eye of a tropical cyclone, but the proper term for this feature is eyewall.


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