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November 3, 2022 - Cloud Streets over Hudson Bay
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A blast of frigid air blew over Hudson Bay in early November 2022, creating stunningly beautiful patterns in the cloud. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of snow-laden Nunavut, Canada and cloud streets stretching over Hudson Bay on November 1.
Cloud streets—long parallel bands of cumulus clouds—form when cold air blows over warmer waters, while a warmer air layer (or temperature inversion) rests over the top of both. The comparatively warm water gives up heat and moisture to the cold air above, and columns of heated air called thermals naturally rise through the atmosphere.
The temperature inversion acts like a lid. When the rising thermals hit it, they roll over and loop back on themselves, creating parallel cylinders of rotating air. As this happens, the moisture in the warm air cools and condenses into flat-bottomed, fluffy-topped cumulus clouds that line up parallel to the prevailing wind.
Temperatures in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut have been on a winter-like chilling trend, with highs of 1˚F (-17.2˚C) and lows of -5˚F (-20.6˚C) registered on November 2. Additional snow along with frigid temperatures is on the forecast for the upcoming weekend.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 11/1/2022
Resolutions:
1km (1.3 MB), 500m (3.7 MB), 250m (3.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
A blast of frigid air blew over Hudson Bay in early November 2022, creating stunningly beautiful patterns in the cloud. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of snow-laden Nunavut, Canada and cloud streets stretching over Hudson Bay on November 1.
Cloud streets—long parallel bands of cumulus clouds—form when cold air blows over warmer waters, while a warmer air layer (or temperature inversion) rests over the top of both. The comparatively warm water gives up heat and moisture to the cold air above, and columns of heated air called thermals naturally rise through the atmosphere. The temperature inversion acts like a lid. When the rising thermals hit it, they roll over and loop back on themselves, creating parallel cylinders of rotating air. As this happens, the moisture in the warm air cools and condenses into flat-bottomed, fluffy-topped cumulus clouds that line up parallel to the prevailing wind.
Temperatures in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut have been on a winter-like chilling trend, with highs of 1˚F (-17.2˚C) and lows of -5˚F (-20.6˚C) registered on November 2. Additional snow along with frigid temperatures is on the forecast for the upcoming weekend.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 11/1/2022
Resolutions:
1km (1.3 MB), 500m (3.7 MB), 250m (3.1 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
