PEORIA, Ariz. — Something strange happened in the skies over Peoria on Thursday, and 12News viewer Aniko Otto was lucky enough to catch it on camera.
A giant horseshoe made of clouds floated over the city for a scarce few minutes.
But it's not just a coincidence that this bit of Western iconography showed up: It's a rare meteorological phenomenon aptly named a Horseshoe Vortex Cloud.
These are deformed clouds that can only form under precise conditions, and only stick around for a few minutes at a time.
"A small, flat cumulus cloud moves over relatively warmer, rising air creating an updraft. The center of the cloud rises faster than the ends forming that bow shape," 12News Meteorologist Krystle Henderson explained.
Image: A rare horseshoe vortex cloud stands out from the lighter clouds behind it.
"Because of the wind shear, the cloud spins or rolls which also helps it take on its unique shape."
That's a lot of moving parts that need to happen all at once, making this a rare occurrence.
"Not only do you need wind shear (change in wind speed and direction with height) for this cloud to form but then you need calm wind for it to stay intact."
Thanks to Aniko Otto for sending in this lucky horseshoe!
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