Fallstreak Hole: Stunning Rare Hole Punch Cloud Seen Twice This Week

Wednesday, 25 February 2015 08:47 PM EST ET

A fallstreak hole, which looks like a large hole punched through a cloud, appeared in the sky not once but twice over British Columbia this week.

A fallstreak hole is created when "the water in that region of the cloud is falling to earth, producing those pronounced streaks it does, and leaving behind a hole in the cloud," The Weather Network explained.

The hole punch clouds are rare, so seeing them two days in a row was unexpected.

More detailed scientific explanations shot down any speculation about otherworldly causes.

According to The National Weather Service: "High to mid level clouds ... are often composed of tiny water droplets that are much colder than freezing, but have yet to freeze. These 'supercooled' water droplets need a 'reason' to freeze, which usually comes in the form of ice crystals. Planes passing through the cloud layer can bring these ice crystals. Once the ice crystals are introduced, the water droplet quickly freeze, grow and start to fall. A hole is left behind, which will start to expand outward as neighboring droplets start to freeze."

Breathtaking photos of the two fallstreak holes went viral.





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A fallstreak hole, which looks like a large hole punched through a cloud, appeared in the sky over British Columbia this week.
fallstreak hole, hole punch cloud, british columbia
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2015-47-25
Wednesday, 25 February 2015 08:47 PM
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