Do Storm Clouds Look the Same Worldwide?  Did you ever wonder if
storm clouds look the same worldwide?   Surely they must be
different - right?  The answer - yes, they look the same.
Recently, I received an e-mail from a gentleman who lives in
Germany.  He attached three amazing pictures of a shelf cloud
that was on the front side of an approaching severe thunderstorm
complex.  He was camping on the shore of the North Sea with his
wife and 4-year-old daughter.  When the straight-line, downburst
winds of the severe storm complex hit the camp ground, his
daughter was in their tent.  Ultimately, she and the tent were
taken for a ride of about 45 meters (about 148 feet or a little
over 49 yards).  She was unhurt.  Below are three pictures of
the approaching shelf cloud - definitely an interesting
example!  Keep in mind that tornadoes and funnel clouds are
totally lacking in the pictures.  Right behind the shelf cloud
you can indentify the downburst with its heavy rains, etc.  Note
the steep accent of warm, moist