The Helm

[Howard Brown]

On 26DEC2016 I made a New Year Resolution to this CAS Forum that I would bring Anita’s brilliant video of the Helm Bar from the CAS Old Forum. Sadly I can longer find it and we have not heard from Anita in Cumbria, UK, in a long time (if at all in this forum). So I beg to be excused and just offer this public description

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wind/The-Helm-Wind.htm

P.S.  Anita did subscribe to other video programs with which I am unfamiliar, so perhaps someone might yet rediscover it?

EDIT:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4476672/Roll-cloud-spotted-skies-Cumbria.html

http://www.itv.com/news/border/2017-05-05/rare-clouds-caused-by-cumbrian-wind-spotted-over-region/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cumbria-39817611/a-rare-form-of-the-cloud-known-as-the-helm-bar-was-seen-over-cumbria-last-night

[Laurence Green]

Hello Hygge

Until your posting I have never heard, let alone see, a Helm cloud.  This is new stuff, at least, to me.

I think this is almost akin to a roll cloud which one sometimes sees when it is misty, rainy or drizzly etc.  But this Helm cloud seems to occur in much better warmer fair weather.

Thanks for the sharing of this.  Again, I have learnt something new from the CAS.

Laurence

 

 

 

[Laurence Green]

Hello again

This Helm cloud is “bugging” me!

I recall previously posting an image  of a remarkable cloud looking so like Concorde “flying” over the famous Ribble Head railway viaduct in Yorkshire.  This is an example of the Helm cloud.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=helm+cloud&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjH_Yep39TWAhXGKFAKHWJPC14QsAQIVA&biw=1602&bih=901#imgrc=GD60BjV_O5Gj1M:&spf=1507043813094

Within Google images there are photos of the Helm cloud.  This cloud, it seems, occurs over Cross Fell, Cumbria (UK Lake District) .  Helm meaning hilltop.

Laurence

[Laurie Floyd]

We saw this oddity the other evening, after storms had come through. It looks similar to me.

[Howard Brown]

Orographic clouds

Laurie, the Helm cloud and the Helm Bar (a rotor cloud) are orographic – related to the hilly terrain. As such they will re-occur from time to time.

https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/search.html?keyword=orographic

Morning Glory

This is a roll cloud which will re-occur from time to time. Cloud authors, not least CAS’ Gavin Pretor-Pinney have been to see it and/or written about it. As luck would have it it is apparently occurring right now:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/flying-the-ultimate-wave-gvqlvgsxw

[George Preoteasa]

The Helm cloud is really interesting, but given the local geography, I would call it an orographic cloud, very similar to a lenticularis. The texture seems the same too. And though not stated, it appears to last in place.

[Author]

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