Clouds 2 || Cole Smith

Clouds 2 || Cole Smith

I took this image while backcountry ski touring near Eldora, CO on November 27th at 1:45 PM. In the image I’m facing southwest and capturing the incoming storm or post-storm clouds, which were accompanied by strong winds and blown snow. I believe that the fluffy clouds seen in the bottom half of the image coming up over the distant mountains are a Foehn cloud wall. Above that, the rippled yet uniform cloud in the top half and top right section of the image is an altocumulus lenticularis mountain wave cloud formation that is moving this way because of high winds. Finally, in the top left of the image I believe that the formation may be cirrostratus undulatus because of how thin the dispersion of clouds is and the high winds during the image. The sounding data for Grand Junction at 6PM MST is shown below.

This sounding data indicates that there should be clouds expected at about 2500m-3000m, which could be indicative of the Foehn cloud wall formation, and then again from about 4500m-5500m, which could be indicative of the altocumulus lenticularis mountain wave formation. Additionally the strong eastward winds that are seen driving cloud movement in the image are shown in the skew-t diagram from about 3000m all the way up to the top of the measured altitude.

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9 Comments. Leave new

  • Robert Cooper
    Dec 13, 2022 00:05

    Those waves in the clouds on the right are really fascinating, love that these clouds blanket the mountain valley

    Reply
  • Bryce Dickson
    Dec 12, 2022 01:49

    Absolutely bonkers cloud combo with 2 legendaries and a rare

    Reply
  • Zackary Herzer
    Dec 8, 2022 16:27

    Caribou! Always a fun spot to go to. I like how the clouds in the distance look like a blanket, I feel like we don’t see that a whole lot in Colorado. Is this taken from the top of the hill?

    Reply
  • Lana Pivarnik
    Dec 5, 2022 12:46

    This is a beautiful image. I like the muted colors and the expansive nature of the picture. This really makes me feel like I am in the mountains.

    Reply
  • It’s interesting how the cold the colors of the image are.

    Reply
  • Maridith Stading
    Dec 5, 2022 12:46

    You always have the craziest cloud pictures. I remember your last one being unique and crazy as well

    Reply
  • Tobin Price
    Dec 5, 2022 12:42

    This photo is incredible– it’s really cool seeing the cloud separation from the sounding data visualized in real life. The ‘bumpy’ clouds covering the mountains in the background are really cool as well and have a spooky feel to them

    Reply
  • Ella Mcquaid
    Dec 5, 2022 12:41

    The whole color palette of this image is very cold-looking, all the colors work really well together and create a cohesive feel. Awesome cloud image!

    Reply
  • Marina Mccann
    Dec 5, 2022 12:34

    I really like how wispy the clouds are in the background, it creates a cool effect especially against the harsh lines from the trees.

    Reply

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