Rare Hole Punch Cloud Forms Over Myrtle Beach, Creating Stunning Sunset Phenomenon
SOUTH CAROLINA — Residents around Myrtle Beach witnessed a rare atmospheric phenomenon during last night’s sunset: a striking hole punch cloud, also known as a fall-streak hole, glowing brightly in the evening sky. The unusual formation appeared as if a large circular section of clouds had been carved out, drawing widespread attention from locals and photographers.
What Exactly Is a Hole Punch Cloud?
Meteorologists explain that a hole punch cloud is a large, circular gap in a mid-level cloud layer, created when supercooled water droplets suddenly freeze and then fall as ice crystals. These droplets remain in liquid form despite being below freezing temperature and only crystallize when disturbed.
In this case, the effect was likely triggered by an airplane passing through the cloud layer, causing the droplets to freeze instantly. That rapid freezing process creates ice crystals that grow, fall, and leave behind a clean, circular “hole” in the cloud sheet.
How the Phenomenon Develops
The chain reaction begins when:
- Aircraft wings or exhaust disturb the supercooled droplets
- Droplets freeze into ice crystals
- Crystals grow and fall toward the ground
- The falling ice evaporates before reaching the surface, creating a visible streak or opening in the cloud deck
These falling crystals can also produce wispy trails of ice, known as fall-streaks, which extend downward from the circular gap.
What Made This Myrtle Beach Event Stand Out
According to observers, last night’s hole punch cloud was especially remarkable because of the vivid sunset coloring the cloud deck bright orange and red, producing dramatic shadows across the sky.
Photographer Brandon Corbett captured the moment, noting that the shadow cast upward by the falling ice crystals enhanced the visual impact. The combination of lighting, cloud structure, and timing created a scene rarely witnessed in the region.
Residents described the sky as “otherworldly,” with many initially uncertain about what caused the unusual formation.
A Rare Treat for Skywatchers
While hole punch clouds are not harmful, they are uncommon in South Carolina, making this event a memorable sight for locals. Weather experts say these clouds typically form in colder months when the atmosphere contains supercooled cloud layers, but still require the perfect mix of temperature, humidity, and aircraft passage.
The stunning scene over Myrtle Beach offered a rare glimpse into the complexity of winter cloud physics and produced one of the most photographed sunsets of the season. For more South Carolina weather updates and unusual sky events, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
