EDITOR’S NOTE: Watch the video above to see Meteorologist Sarah Spivey explain the science behind why the sky looked so cool over the weekend.
People around San Antonio were treated to a spectacular sight on Saturday just as the sun was setting. Distant thunderstorms, some 30-60 miles away, put on a show. Here’s a look at some of your pictures, sent in through KSAT Connect
Dwayne Smith
Awesome Clouds
WHY DID THE SKY LOOK SO AWESOME?
The sky looked so cool because of a perfect combination of factors:
A Clear View from San Antonio
A cold front had just moved through the Alamo City, clearing skies. The front also swept away the humidity, allowing for perfect visibility miles away in the distance
Strong Storms
The storms that were visible from a distance around San Antonio were strong storms, producing hail for parts of Atascosa, Gonzales, and Lavaca Counties. Strong storms grow tall — all the way up to the stratosphere, which is some 30,000 to 40,000 feet high! In the stratosphere, clouds can’t form. Instead, when the tall storms reach the stratosphere, they flatten out, creating an “anvil” shape. That’s why the storms looked like mushroom clouds!
Here’s a look underneath the anvil, closer to the storm:
Ronnie Timm
Outside Moulton, TX
Time of Day
These storms formed near sunset. So, as the sun was setting in the west, folks around San Antonio got to see the storms perfectly & colorfully lit.
Share your Photos
Did you get a cool picture of the cloud? Or any good weather shot? We’d love to see it! Upload it to KSAT Connect on your computer, phone or through the KSAT app. We may use it online or on air.
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