Wall Clouds vs. Shelf Clouds: Understanding the differences

To a beginning storm observer, wall clouds and shelf clouds (and more broadly inflow vs. outflow features) -- can be confusing. Both of these storm features look to hang down from storms and oftentimes they can be mistook for one another.
However, these two could not be more different.
Shelf clouds are products of storm outflows -- or air rushing out and away from a storm. On the other end, wall clouds are an inflow feature -- and they typically form at the strongest portions of updrafts where air is being pulled into the storm the most.
Both of these features can have a lot of motion. However, the motion on shelf clouds tends to be more chaotic and less organized in nature. Still, this doesn't stop many shelf clouds from being reported as rotating wall clouds every year.
A wall cloud can sport rotation along a vertical axis. Still, the presence of a wall cloud does NOT mean a tornado is imminent. For tornado chances to be on the rise with a wall cloud, it must be persistent (lasting more than a few minutes) and it must have increasing rotation with time. A persistent wall cloud that isn't rotating or a rapidly rotating wall cloud that dissipates quickly tend to not be imminent signs of a tornado. However, ALL rotating wall clouds should be monitored carefully.

[@WalnutLemon5840]

I have anxiety about tornados and since I live in Oklahoma that’s not the best 😅 I’m terrified of them and have panick attacks over them but I’m so fascinated and intrigued by them! But my favorite weather is stormy ⛈

[@phyzarel1845]

I’m in a part of the country where they are rare but happen and they also terrify me. Natural disasters in general are horrifying.

[@johnvinings5652]

Great explanation of the difference between shelf and wall clouds and their potential significance. Thanks.

[@TornadoTitans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lesshrubb203]

Needed to watch this a couple of times for it to sink in. Great narrative and fine footage, thanks.

[@greytails8284]

The bearscage 3:00

[@PMW3]

shelf clouds are absolutely beautiful, I haven't seen a lot of wall clouds though

[@dangerouspoems4707]

Cool. Interesting what are those "hang-me down" pieces under shelf cloud

[@spartan7199]

I have seen both wall cloud and shelf cloud. Both are scary.

[@ExplainedThroughRap]

Love this! We just dropped a rap explaining clouds but we didn't dice into wall & shelf clouds - great information 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TornadoTitans]

Thanks for sharing!! Will have to check it out!

[@robertsantiagonc]

Thank you. Excellent video!

[@annam.6661]

I've been trying to understand this, I took an online Skywarn class, your video summed it to but made it easy to understand.

[@TornadoTitans]

This is so great to hear!

[@Newystorms]

i live in australia and i have only seen one shwlf cloud yet the whole time it passed over me it didnt rain once and there was no thunder or lightning

[@TornadoTitans]

You can all get some wild weather in Australia though! One of my dreams is to storm chase one winter (summer for you all)!

[@bertoldomonstro8251]

here in Brazil, recently, there have been a lot of storms with these shelf clouds, realy scary

[@elizabethmontgomery4134]

Thanks! i was having trouble remembering witch was witch

[@Jim1Tom]

Very informative and interesting! You all Rock!!

[@TornadoTitans]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jim1Tom]

@@TornadoTitans That's the only way I like to learn about the weather. And enjoy seeing it through your eyes..Up close and personal! Respect all you guy's and gal's do!!

[@williammoss212]

Wall clouds are apart of the main updraft and they are rotation they are rain Free and the Wall cloud grows darkening skies with greenish hue

[@dailymeowion]

very useful, thanks!❤

[@TornadoTitans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@celeno31]

beautiful sky!

[@TornadoTitans]

Yes it was!

[@razielvillarreal4378]

Asperatus, Mammatus and shelf clouds are the most creepy pasta inspired clouds.

[@Koko-np3wm]

and i saw shelf clouds and wall cloud or solar blast cloud bigger than the shelf cloud

[@drakedrones]

Wall and shelf clouds are both horrifying to look at 😫😫😫😫

[@laurenahaha2540]

any tips on how to get over a huge fear of tornados/storms??

[@TornadoTitans]

This is a great question. Learn as much as you can for sure as that has helped us (believe it or not more than one of us was deathly afraid of storms when we were younger). Shameless plug: our channel is a great place to learn! Storms are definitely dangerous to be caught outside in -- but not usually if you are inside away from windows. Stay safe out there!

[@StephenRichardsX]

I can confirm that this is great advice. 🙂

[@kelcritcarroll]

Hey, new subscriber here! Great information!😁😁👍🏻

[@TornadoTitans]

Welcome!!

[@finwasfound]

have u guys ever noticed the lower the wall cloud the more of an el reno situation in tornados because tthe mesocyclone is closer to the ground

[@TornadoTitans]

Yeah lower cloud bases can mean bigger in size tornadoes! Not necessarily more powerful though!

[@finwasfound]

@@TornadoTitans True.

[@artyfuffkin7805]

Watch out for drop ceiling clouds

[@OnlyGetOneLife]

See 2.09 for JK Rowling’s inspiration for her Death Eaters and Dementors!! Surely?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ Many thanks for this video!! It had me gripped and I learnt a lot - win win! Kudos and props ☮️🇬🇧💞

[@LeonardoOlenski]

my godss

[@konner8766]

From tik tok

[@TornadoTitans]

WELCOME!