Honeycomb Pattern (IMAGE)
Caption
A new NOAA study has uncovered oscillating patterns in rain clouds. The study, published in the Aug. 12, 2010, issue of the journal Nature also has significant implications for our understanding of climate change research. Scientists discovered that honeycomb patterns with cellular structures in rain clouds constantly rearrange themselves, with cloud walls dissolving and open cells forming in their place, while walls form where open cells once existed. The synchronous pattern is established as falling rain cools the air. This creates downward air currents. These downdrafts hit the surface, flow outward and collide with each other, forming updrafts. The air flowing up creates new clouds in previously open sky as older clouds dissipate. Then the new clouds rain, and the oscillating pattern repeats itself.
Credit
NASA
Usage Restrictions
The information in the caption is embargoed until Aug. 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET. After that time, there is no restriction on usage or viewing.
License
Licensed content