morning glory

A large cloud band, similar to a roll cloud, that appears on some spring mornings in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in northern Australia, under a synoptic environment of atmospheric stability. It is the foremost example of the cloud species volutus. It is a tubular-structured altocumulus - known internationally as Morning Glory - that can exceed 1,000 km in length and be between 1 and 2 km high. The rotating currents around it can reach speeds of 60 km/h. It arises in the presence of gravity waves, in combination with the particular coastal breeze regime of the area. Its appearance attracts free-flight (hang-gliding/paragliding) enthusiasts from around the world.