Is the first picture a vortex Horseshoe vortex? What cloud is the second image

[Haoting He]

 

What kind of cloud is following picture? What is the small colored section next to it? This photo was taken during last year’s typhoon.

[Hans Stocker]

Hello Haoting He, I am sorry but to me the first image does not show a Horsehoe Vortex. The shape is a bit of coincidence and its appearance does not have a vortex look.

The second image shows a small colored section and that is a sundog. The sun is at the left and out of frame. The strange cloud with the large trunk is a bit of a puzzle to me. I think it is altocumulus but I can’t explain the long tube like appearance. I considered it having been virga, but I don’t see the typical fallstreaks of virga. Maybe strong winds have caused the long stretched form. I am curious for other opinions.

I hope you like it, Hans

[Author]

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