2019 LOOR Racing Guide

Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide Page 55
Mattamus - Photo by A. Parlak
Mammatus clouds are found underneath the
leading edge of the anvil of the approaching
storm. These distinctive, lumpy clouds look like
little pouches and are a visual signal indicating
that there is a strong possibility of hail, heavy
rain and lightning with this storm. When you see
mammatus, you are probably a few short minutes
away from the storm striking your location.
Colour is another clue that you’re not dealing
with an average storm. Most storms producing
strange greenish-yellow colouring in the clouds
have been proven to be very strong, to severe in
intensity, bringing flooding rains, large damaging
hail, and frequent lightning.
Shelf clouds or gust front cloud lines are
horizontal cloud formations that are associated
with the leading edge of strong thunderstorm
outflow winds. These sharp, low shelf clouds
are the best indicator that a potentially violent
wind squall is approaching.
Lightning flashes are sometimes difficult to see
during the day, so make sure you listen closely
for the continuous rumbling of thunder. If there
aren’t any pauses between the thunder claps,
it’s a pretty good sign that lightning strikes are
frequent. If you see flashes every few seconds,
the storm has gone into severe mode.
Shelf Clouds - Photo by A. Parlak
Photo by Lucien Kolly (Unsplash)