Gulf wakes to early Morning Glory

judykott · 08-16-2009, 03:15 PM

Amazing Nature

By Chrissy Arthur
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...13/2654370.htm
Posted Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:24am AEST
Updated Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:23am AEST

One of the world's most extraordinary natural events has begun in the Gulf of Carpentaria in north-west Queensland.
One of the world's most extraordinary natural events has begun in the Gulf of Carpentaria in north-west Queensland.

Every year during spring - the Morning Glory Cloud makes an appearance and attracts people from around the world to see it.

It is described as a rare weather phenomenon - with a single mass of rolling cloud forming that can be up to 1,000 kilometres long.

Lyn Battle from Sweers Island says locals and visitors are amazed at the sight.

"It really just looks like a big long cylinder of cloud rolling toward you - it is spectacular," she said.

"We've been here 22 years now and we still stop whatever we are doing and walk out and look at it - it's just amazing.

"You get a wind that comes up with it as it's going across, the temperature drops a little bit, it's like a living thing, it really is unusual."

Ms Battle says it has come earlier than usual this year due to calm weather conditions.

"Usually September and October would be the months [it arrives] so we're very lucky to see it a month ahead of time," she said.

She says the Morning Glory is also a favourite amongst glider pilots.

"They are all going to be arriving in Burketown in the middle of September," she said.

"It's 20 years now since the first gliders glided on the Morning Glory - they circle on the front like a wave - they're expecting big things and an awful lot of pilots are coming."

08-16-2009, 03:15 PM	#1
judykott Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 711	Gulf wakes to early Morning Glory Amazing Nature By Chrissy Arthur http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...13/2654370.htm Posted Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:24am AEST Updated Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:23am AEST One of the world's most extraordinary natural events has begun in the Gulf of Carpentaria in north-west Queensland. One of the world's most extraordinary natural events has begun in the Gulf of Carpentaria in north-west Queensland. Every year during spring - the Morning Glory Cloud makes an appearance and attracts people from around the world to see it. It is described as a rare weather phenomenon - with a single mass of rolling cloud forming that can be up to 1,000 kilometres long. Lyn Battle from Sweers Island says locals and visitors are amazed at the sight. "It really just looks like a big long cylinder of cloud rolling toward you - it is spectacular," she said. "We've been here 22 years now and we still stop whatever we are doing and walk out and look at it - it's just amazing. "You get a wind that comes up with it as it's going across, the temperature drops a little bit, it's like a living thing, it really is unusual." Ms Battle says it has come earlier than usual this year due to calm weather conditions. "Usually September and October would be the months [it arrives] so we're very lucky to see it a month ahead of time," she said. She says the Morning Glory is also a favourite amongst glider pilots. "They are all going to be arriving in Burketown in the middle of September," she said. "It's 20 years now since the first gliders glided on the Morning Glory - they circle on the front like a wave - they're expecting big things and an awful lot of pilots are coming."