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Mystifying 'whirlpool in the sky' leaves UAE stunned
19 March 2019 | https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/766284/UAE-Oman-Al-Ain-holepunch-cloud-fallstreak-hole
RESIDENTS were left stunned after a mysterious hole appeared in the sky above the UAE.
The whirlpool-like hole was visible after parts of the country were hit by heavy rainfall on Sunday.
Astronomer and meteorologist Ebrahim Al Jarwan captured footage of the rare weather event in the city of Al Ain, close to the Oman border.
Mr Al Jarwan posted the vision to Twitter and quickly pointed out it was a “holepunch cloud” or a “fallstreak hole”.
He described the unusual sight as a "rare and beautiful phenomenon".
According to the UK Met Office: “A fallstreak hole (also known as a holepunch cloud) forms when part of the cloud layer forms ice crystals which are large enough to fall as a 'fallstreak’.
“They form in clouds of supercooled water droplets, water below 0 °C but not yet frozen. These water droplets need a tiny particle, a nucleus, to freeze or to be cooled below -40°C.
“Aircraft punching through this cloud layer can cause air to expand and cool as it passes over the aircraft wings or propeller.”
Although some commentators had other ideas as to what had appeared in the sky.
“Seems to be a round UFO in the clouds,” one person commentated on Twitter.
19 March 2019 | https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/766284/UAE-Oman-Al-Ain-holepunch-cloud-fallstreak-hole
RESIDENTS were left stunned after a mysterious hole appeared in the sky above the UAE.
The whirlpool-like hole was visible after parts of the country were hit by heavy rainfall on Sunday.
Astronomer and meteorologist Ebrahim Al Jarwan captured footage of the rare weather event in the city of Al Ain, close to the Oman border.
Mr Al Jarwan posted the vision to Twitter and quickly pointed out it was a “holepunch cloud” or a “fallstreak hole”.
He described the unusual sight as a "rare and beautiful phenomenon".
According to the UK Met Office: “A fallstreak hole (also known as a holepunch cloud) forms when part of the cloud layer forms ice crystals which are large enough to fall as a 'fallstreak’.
“They form in clouds of supercooled water droplets, water below 0 °C but not yet frozen. These water droplets need a tiny particle, a nucleus, to freeze or to be cooled below -40°C.
“Aircraft punching through this cloud layer can cause air to expand and cool as it passes over the aircraft wings or propeller.”
Although some commentators had other ideas as to what had appeared in the sky.
“Seems to be a round UFO in the clouds,” one person commentated on Twitter.
