The intense heat from wildfires fuels updrafts, lifting smoke and vapor into the atmosphere. As the plume rises, water vapor cools and condenses around particles (including ash particles) to form Keep reading
Tag: updrafts
Pelican Surfing
Birds can be incredibly clever about using their surroundings to enhance their flight. Pelicans will even surf! As a line of waves rolls toward shore, it pushes a small updraft Keep reading
The Seabird That Can’t Get Wet
Unlike most seabirds, the frigatebird does not have waterproof feathers. Landing in the water during a transoceanic flight would quickly drown the bird, so instead they stay aloft. But until Keep reading
Shelf Cloud
Sydney, Australia was treated to a spectacular meteorological show over the weekend when an impressive shelf cloud swept over the city. These timelapses show the dramatic leading edge of the Keep reading
Supercell Thunderstorm
Photographer Mike Olbinski has captured a spectacular timelapse of a supercell thunderstorm over the plains of Texas. Supercells are characterized by a strong, rotating updraft known as a mesocyclone, seen Keep reading