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4d ago

Viral Roll Cloud Sweeps Portugal Coast as Heat and Fire Warnings Persist

Portuguese authorities have maintained maximum fire risk advisories following the viral footage, with scientists warning that climate change could make roll clouds more common.

Portugal video goes coral. Image Source: ‘volcaholic1’/ X
Breathtaking! Rare Roll Cloud Formation Appears Over Portugal Beach, Leaves Crowd Awestruck | Image: X\Volcaholic\Antonio Pereira

Overview

  • Footage of the roll cloud, posted by X user Volcaholic, has amassed over 30,000 views and was officially verified by the Portuguese weather service IPMA through satellite imagery.
  • Portugal recorded a new June high of 46.6 °C on June 30, intensifying unstable conditions along the northern and central coastline where the cloud was observed.
  • Meteorologists attribute roll cloud formation to the collision of warm, dry inland air and cooler sea breezes, producing a low-level, tube-shaped arcus cloud that moves horizontally.
  • The National Civil Protection Authority and IPMA have kept extreme heat and maximum rural fire risk alerts active through early July to prevent wildfires in vulnerable regions.
  • Climate experts from institutions including Imperial College London say rising temperatures could drive more frequent and intense roll cloud events under ongoing climate change.