Cloud Waterfall Engulfs Appalachian Valley

Sometimes Mother Nature can be just as secretive as she is beautiful. With all she’s revealed of her great land, she’s made it clear that she hasn’t shown all her cards just yet. But every so often, when curiosity and coincidence collide, we’re treated to a front row viewing of the greatest show on earth, happening right in our own backyard.

On October 7th, 2013, a camera toting naturalist found himself in the right place at the right time. A day hike along the Appalachian Trail in Western North Carolina came with an unexpected surprise: an avalanche of thick white clouds cascading down the Plott Balsam mountain range. The mysterious clouds flow swiftly, grazing the 6,000 ft. peaks and spilling plentifully into the basin below, filling it entirely in just moments.

But how?

The naturally occurring phenomena, known scientifically as orographic clouds, occurs when particularly cold air is forced up the side of a mountaintop. The footage seen here, filmed during a cold front, provided the perfect conditions for clouds to form during the wind’s chilly ascension up the mountain’s peak.

Pretty neat trick Mother Nature. And not to mention, some of the best recorded footage to date.

Learn more: ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu

Via: screech-owls.blogspot.com