December 18, 2020 - Cloud Streets over Gulf of Maine

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   Cloud Streets over Gulf of Maine
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   Frigid air and strong winds combined to create a spectacular scene over
   the Atlantic Ocean in mid-December 2020. The Moderate Resolution
   Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite
   acquired a true-color image of cloud streets stretching across the
   ocean on December 16.

   As a strong winter storm moved up the east coast of the United States,
   temperatures dropped into the teens and low twenty degrees Fahrenheit
   across New England. Winds blowing towards the southeast carried the
   cold air mass over the relatively warm Atlantic Ocean, where the air
   quickly warmed and gained moisture necessary to form clouds. The clouds
   line up in organized rows parallel to the direction of the wind. Called
   “cloud streets”, this type of cloud formation is an example of nature
   trying to balance differences in energy.

   Cloud streets occur when columns of heated air—thermals—rise through
   the atmosphere and carry heat away from the sea surface. The moist air
   rises until it hits a warmer air layer (a temperature inversion) that
   acts like a lid. The inversion causes the rising thermals to roll over
   on themselves, forming parallel cylinders of rotating air. On the
   upward side of the cylinders (rising air), water vapor condenses and
   forms clouds. Along the downward side (descending air), skies remain
   clear.

   Note also how the cloud streets start a bit offshore. This is because
   the cold air mass needs some time and distance moving over the water to
   pick up enough moisture for cloud formation.

   Cloud streets are not limited to the skies over the open ocean. For
   example, during cold spells you can frequently see them streaming over
   the Great Lakes.

   Image Facts
   Satellite:  Terra
   Date Acquired: 12/16/2020
   Resolutions:  1km (252.8 KB),  500m (900.9 KB),  250m (3.3 MB)
   Bands Used: 1,4,3
   Image Credit: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC



https://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/individual.php?db_date=2020-12-18
 
