What is a shelf cloud

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Summary

The line of storms Friday evening gave us some spectacular views of what is known as a shelf cloud. Often times the shelf cloud can appear to be expanding from one end of the horizon to the other

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Q1: What are the main characteristics and formations of a shelf cloud?

A1: A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal, wedge-shaped cloud that is often seen at the leading edge of a thunderstorm. These clouds form due to the downdraft of a storm interacting with the updraft, causing the warm, moist air to condense as it is lifted over the cooler air. Shelf clouds are part of the arcus cloud category and usually signify the gust front of an approaching storm.

Q2: How does a shelf cloud differ from a roll cloud?

A2: While both shelf clouds and roll clouds are types of arcus clouds, they have distinct formations. A shelf cloud is attached to the base of the parent cloud, often forming along a gust front of a thunderstorm, creating a dramatic and expansive view. In contrast, a roll cloud is a low, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud that appears to roll about a horizontal axis and is not attached to any cloud above it, often forming along the leading edge of a sea breeze or cold front.

Q3: What are the potential dangers associated with shelf clouds?

A3: Shelf clouds themselves are not dangerous, but they often indicate the presence of strong thunderstorms. These storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and even tornadoes. The appearance of a shelf cloud can be a warning sign of severe weather conditions ahead, and it is advisable to seek shelter when one is observed.

Q4: What recent advancements have been made in cloud computing related to off-the-shelf cloud applications?

A4: Recent advancements in cloud computing for off-the-shelf applications include the development of Boxer, which uses Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) to provide ephemeral elasticity. This allows applications to handle load spikes and recover faster from failures compared to traditional VM-based solutions. Boxer offers significant performance and cost savings, making it a promising solution for managing cloud resources efficiently.

Q6: What are the implications of using untrusted cloud environments for handling confidential data?

A6: Using untrusted cloud environments for confidential data poses significant security risks, as users have limited control over their data. Solutions such as agent-based approaches can help mitigate these risks by implementing secure data sharing through permission-based access, allowing for safer data management in multiuser cloud environments.

Q7: What visual phenomena can a shelf cloud produce, and why are they significant?

A7: Shelf clouds can produce dramatic visual phenomena, with their expansive and sometimes ominous appearance stretching across the horizon. These clouds are significant as they often precede severe weather events, serving as natural indicators for approaching storms and prompting necessary precautions to ensure safety.

References:

  • Arcus cloud
  • Boxer: FaaSt Ephemeral Elasticity for Off-the-Shelf Cloud Applications
  • Towards Runtime Verification via Event Stream Processing in Cloud Computing Infrastructures