As severe storms rolled through Metro Atlanta, cloud structures foretold the incoming damaging winds and heavy rain.

Numerous individuals noticed this shelf cloud as it rolled into Cherokee County as illustrated in the photo below.

The lower cloud is known as an arcus clouds, or more commonly, a shelf cloud, and it is associated with both severe and non-severe thunderstorms. They often form in the summertime, though they can be spotted anytime of the year when storms form.

The World Meteorological Organization’s International Cloud Atlas defines an arcus, or shelf cloud, as “a dense horizontal roll with more or less tattered edges, situated on the lower front part of certain clouds and having, when extensive, the appearance of a dark, menacing arch.”

Shelf clouds form when the leading edge of rain-cooled air shoves warmer, humid air higher into the sky. Occasionally, wall clouds (precursors to tornadoes) can be found within a shelf cloud, but for the most part, shelf clouds indicate the possibility of gusty winds as well as very heavy rain.

If you see a shelf cloud heading your way, it’s your clue that you have about 5 to 10 minutes to head inside before heavy rain and gusty winds arrive!

The shelf cloud itself is a visual cue of the cold pool flowing ahead of the line of storms -- rain cooled air surges forward ahead of the storms, causing the gusty winds associated with the shelf cloud.

Behind the shelf cloud, turbulence within the atmosphere causes a mottled look to the sky. At the right angle, the sky can look dark and brooding -- or sunlight can cause a colorful display in the cloud cover.

Double Rainbows After the Storms

The storms exited the Metro Atlanta area around sunset, providing ample opportunity to observe double rainbows across the region.

But the most stunning shot from the evening comes from Andrew Demske in Forsyth County, who captured this lightning bolt striking a tree ahead of a double rainbow.

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