Tail cloud

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-002759",
  "term": "Tail cloud",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "A horizontal, elongated cloud formation extending from the main precipitation shaft of a supercell thunderstorm. It appears to be attached to the storm's updraft base and points towards the area of inflow. This cloud indicates the presence of strong low-level convergence and can be a visual cue for meteorologists assessing storm structure.",
    "A horizontal, tail-shaped cloud (not a funnel cloud) at low levels extending from the precipitation cascade region of a supercell toward the wall cloud (i.e., it usually is observed extending from the wall cloud toward the north or northeast). The base of the tail cloud is about the same as that of the wall cloud. Cloud motion in the tail cloud is away from the precipitation and toward the wall cloud, with rapid upward motion often observed near the junction of the tail and wall clouds. Compare with beaver tail, which is a form of inflow band that normally attaches to the storm's main updraft (not to the wall cloud) and has a base at about the same level as the updraft base (not the wall cloud)."
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/tail-cloud/"
}