Ring of Fire (Extreme dome of High Pressure)

During the month of July 2023, a very strong ridge of high pressure aloft over the Southwest US has contributed to record heat and has delayed the annual summer monsoon. However, a weather phenomena known as the Ring of Fire (not to be confused with the earthquake and volcanos that ring the edge of the crustal plates along the oceanic perimeters), occurs on its periphery of these high pressure domes. This region develops isolated to scattered thunderstorms when the atmosphere doesn’t usual favor development.

In the time lapse clip, the formation of lenticular (ufo sharped clouds) and the development of contrails signal very strong winds and very cold temperatures at high altitude. When the towering cumulus interact with these conditions, instability is triggered and thus storms form quickly.

Although this isn’t one of my more spectacular weather events I’ve captured, it is still interesting and important to understand.

Living Voyage by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100594
Artist: http://incompetech.com/