November 3, 2022 - Cloud Streets over Hudson Bay

Cloud Streets
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A blast of frigid air blew over Hudson Bay in early November 2022,
creating stunningly beautiful patterns in the cloud. The Moderate
Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua
satellite acquired a true-color image of snow-laden Nunavut, Canada and
cloud streets stretching over Hudson Bay on November 1.

Cloud streets—long parallel bands of cumulus clouds—form when cold air
blows over warmer waters, while a warmer air layer (or temperature
inversion) rests over the top of both. The comparatively warm water
gives up heat and moisture to the cold air above, and columns of heated
air called thermals naturally rise through the atmosphere. The
temperature inversion acts like a lid. When the rising thermals hit it,
they roll over and loop back on themselves, creating parallel cylinders
of rotating air. As this happens, the moisture in the warm air cools
and condenses into flat-bottomed, fluffy-topped cumulus clouds that
line up parallel to the prevailing wind.

Temperatures in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut have been on a winter-like
chilling trend, with highs of 1˚F (-17.2˚C) and lows of -5˚F (-20.6˚C)
registered on November 2. Additional snow along with frigid
temperatures is on the forecast for the upcoming weekend.

Image Facts
Satellite: Aqua
Date Acquired: 11/1/2022
Resolutions: 1km (1.3 MB), 500m (3.7 MB), 250m (3.1 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=2022-11-03

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