Over the weekend, Sydney’s skyline played host to a baffling phenomenon that had onlookers scratching their heads. A dark and enigmatic presence hovering above the water left people captivated and curious, prompting the question: “What is it?”
The unusual sighting was captured on camera and quickly made its way to TikTok, where viewers were equally puzzled by the mysterious spectacle. In the video, a dark and wispy mass appeared suspended in the sky, distinct from the surrounding clouds. The person behind the camera couldn’t help but wonder if it resembled “liquid metal” and questioned whether it could truly be a cloud.
The video garnered significant attention and numerous comments, with speculations running wild. Some viewers compared the peculiar mass to a UFO, while others attributed it to potential air pollution. Interestingly, a few even likened it to a “dementor” from the renowned Harry Potter series, known for its eerie, soul-like figure drifting through the air.
However, the prevailing consensus seemed to lean towards identifying the enigmatic formation as a scud cloud. A scud cloud, categorized as pannus, is a type of cloud that typically materializes at low altitudes above the ground, displaying an irregular and detached appearance.
One commentator described it as “low-level moisture,” often seen during stormy weather, essentially constituting a cloud. Still, doubts persisted, with some individuals insisting that this instance deviated from the conventional appearance of scud clouds.
To provide clarity, Martin Singh from Monash University’s School of Earth, Atmosphere, and Environment offered his expertise. He affirmed that the peculiar formation was indeed a scud cloud, or something similar, and explained that these clouds can appear ragged when rain evaporates beneath a parent storm, subsequently leading to secondary cloud formation.
Scud clouds, while relatively common, typically exhibit a “wispy and fractured appearance.” The one captured in the video appeared “fairly extreme,” according to Singh. He offered a couple of factors that could explain this unusual appearance, attributing it partly to the sun’s position, which cast a darker hue on the cloud, and its proximity to the observer, allowing for a more detailed view of the cloud’s edge.
Although the video was posted on a Sunday, it’s believed that the scud cloud graced the Sydney skyline on the preceding Saturday evening following a powerful thunderstorm that swept across the city. This tempest brought heavy rain and gusty winds, impacting various regions, including Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, and the Central Coast.
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