Pictures of a terrifying supercell storm that hit New Mexico on Saturday were captured depicting the awesome size of the monolithic storm clouds.
The storm rolled through Cuervo, New Mexico, producing hailstones that were four-inches in diameter. Cuervo is a community located approximately two hours away from Albuquerque.
A storm spotter watches the looming storm over Cuervo, New Mexico. Supercell storms are commonly found in the portion of the United States known as 'Tornado Alley'
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a supercell, which is not always a thunderstorm, is a weather phenomenon in which converging low level winds create an updraft which rotates on a vertical axis. This is also known as a mesocyclone. Warm air in the mesocyclone can rise as fast as 170 miles per hour.
A semi trailer drives away from the looming storm.
Supercells are known to create large hailstones, damaging winds, and tornadoes, and can last for hours if conditions permit.
These kind of storms can take place anywhere in the world, but are most commonly found in the midwest of the United States, as well as the plains areas in South America.
The supercell storm rotates, and attempts to produce funnel clouds for a damaging tornado
Image of the mesocyclone caught by a member of the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Source
Image of the mesocyclone caught by a member of the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Source
More articles on unusual clouds on this blog
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