KMA "Caused by Polar Stratospheric Hole Phenomenon"
Known to Expand Up to 50km
In Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, a uniquely shaped cloud was captured in the sky, drawing attention. This cloud had a circular blank space in the middle, making it look as if there was a hole in the sky. Upon investigation, it was identified as a 'fallstreak hole' phenomenon.
According to the Gangwon Meteorological Office on the 13th, this cloud formation occurred around 11 a.m. the previous day. Fascinated by the unusual cloud, netizens posted photos on online communities and social media, sparking widespread interest. Reacting to the unusual sky, netizens commented, "This is the live Chuncheon sky, not a composite," and "I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it."
On the 12th, a uniquely shaped cloud that looks like a hole appeared in the sky over downtown Chuncheon, Gangwon. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The photos shared by netizens showed a hole in the cloud formation that looked as if someone had deliberately punched through it.
As the photos gained attention, the Gangwon Meteorological Office explained that this cloud was caused by the 'fallstreak hole' phenomenon.
The fallstreak hole phenomenon occurs when clouds turn into ice due to airplanes or external shocks, causing the ice to fall because it cannot support its own weight, creating the appearance of a hole. It is also called a 'hole punch cloud.'
The pole streak hole phenomenon was also observed in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, in November 2020. [Photo by Korea Meteorological Administration]
The diameter of a fallstreak hole can grow up to 50 km, and this phenomenon was also observed in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, in November 2020. It has been observed not only in South Korea but also in various countries around the world.
In 2019, a cloud with a hole-like appearance appeared in the sky over Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), attracting global netizens' attention.
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