Videos from astronomers

[ironyak]

Thanks, both very entertaining. The first has very nice local-style Koyaanisqatsi vibe.

http://vimeo.com/21922694

[TomK]

Well, thanks for that, but for the life of me I can't figure out the link between your video and this thread. I'm sure some will love it and those taking hallucinogens will watch this over and over again.

But WTF?

[ironyak]

The first video Hawai'iScapes is a series of timelapse shots set to music. Koyaanisqatsi is a critically acclaimed film from 1982 featuring timelapse shots set to music by Philip Glass. Both are very well done. Hope that helps.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085809/

[TomK]

Well, OK. At least mine were related to Hawaii.

[imwithstoopid]

I have never before witnessed clouds transitioning that way at 1.04.
Is that common in the islands?

The only time I saw something similar was back around '67 when I witnessed a Tornado develop over the Southside of Chicago from scratch. Except that all of the clouds started to flow in a circular motion as a unit until they formed the white string like funnel that snaked its way to the ground. As soon as it hit the ground it turned black and proceeded to destroy a large path through the neighborhood, the damage was incredible considering the few injuries involved.

rAy...

Don't be an sesquipedalian, Eschew Obfuscation.....

Sometimes, when I see the neighborhood children make small discoveries of their own, I wish I were a child.
With apologies to Dr. Seuss

[Kelena]

Oh gawd....the music. And I mean that in a bad way.

[ironyak]

Originally posted by TomK
Well, OK. At least mine were related to Hawaii.

That they are - thanks again for sharing. I'll make sure to peek around the corner next time before expressing any thoughts or gratitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixgc_FGam3s

[BI-Curious]

Oh Dawg… the MUSIC. (And I mean that in a good way.)

[TomK]

Lenticular clouds

A nice group of lenticular clouds started forming over the island late this afternoon, caught by one of the CFHT cameras on the mountain. No music I'm afraid! The video also shows the shadow of Mauna Kea forming at sunset.

http://cfht.hawaii.edu/en/gallery/timelapse.php?file=20150208-c3&cam=c3

[TomK]

Imwithstoopid,

"I have never before witnessed clouds transitioning that way at 1.04. Is that common in the islands?"

Not entirely sure what you mean, but the sight is quite common here. Low clouds generally come from the east blown in by the trades while the upper-level winds are generally from the west, so high level clouds (cirrus) move in a different direction. So it's quite common to see two sets of clouds moving in different directions.

This might tie in with what you witnessed in the past. Tornadoes are created by winds moving in different directions and interacting which sets up the spin you see in a tornado. Fortunately, the other conditions required to form tornadoes are rarely experienced in Hawaii.