A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal, wedge-shaped arcus cloud attached to the base of the parent cloud, which is usually a thunderstorm cumulonimbus, but could form on any type of convective clouds.

Shelf clouds are often associated with squall lines, and many times they are reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation. Below is a brief review of what a shelf cloud, wall cloud, and funnel cloud …

Jul 1, 2025 · What is a Shelf Cloud? A shelf cloud gets its name from its broad, shelf-like appearance. It is a low, horizontal cloud formation found along the leading edge of a thunderstorm’s outflow.

Jun 21, 2019 · What you're seeing in a shelf cloud is the boundary between a downdraft and updraft of a thunderstorm or line of thunderstorms. Rain-chilled air descends in a thunderstorm's downdraft, then...

Feb 8, 2013 · A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal wedge-shaped cloud, associated with a thunderstorm gust front (or occasionally with a cold front, even in the absence of thunderstorms).

Jun 20, 2025 · Shelf clouds form along the leading edge of a storm’s gust front; that’s where cool air from the storm pushes out ahead and lifts the warm, moist air near the ground. That lift creates this …

Learn about the arcus cloud feature (shelf clouds), including pictures and images of their various characteristics, how to identify them, and more.

Jul 30, 2025 · What’s the difference? Well, shelf clouds are attached to the base of the thunderstorm whereas roll clouds are detached and form separately. How do these cool but rare clouds form?

May 10, 2025 · Shelf clouds typically form along the leading edge of a thunderstorm. As the storm pushes out cool air in a downdraft, it collides with the warm, moist air just ahead of it. That warm air is...

Jul 14, 2024 · The biggest culprits? Shelf Clouds and Wall Clouds. Let’s discuss their differences. We’ll start with the more common phenomena of the two, and one of the more commonly mistaken …