-Shelf Cloud-

• Leading edge of Squall Line – The worst is first!

• Marks the onset of the storm with strong winds and precedes rain

• Produced by rain cooled air

• Slopes down & Away from rain

• Moves away from the rain with time

Decorative Image: Image showing a shelf cloud. Decorative Image: A second example of a Shelf Cloud.

Speaker Notes:

• A shelf cloud normally is associated with a squall line. This cloud is found in advance of the precipitation and is marks where the strongest winds usually begin.

• With squall lines, the worst is first, as the greatest severe weather threat is straight line winds and the shelf cloud marks where those winds begin.

• Shelf clouds slope down and away form the rain, and move farther away from the rain with time.