Spooky cloud formation perfectly timed for Halloween

Sometimes something in nature is created by something other than nature.

Sharon Shannon of Penticton took this startling photograph of a cloud formation that appeared in the South Okanagan sky around 8:45 a.m. today, Oct. 31. The photo was taken on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail below Kaleden.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says the photo appears to be of a "hole punch" cloud through altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds, likely made by an airplane.

“I’ve seen it before,” he says.

EarthSky.org says people sometimes report them as UFOs.

Aircraft passing through these cloud layers can trigger the formation of the heavier ice crystals, which fall to Earth and then leave the circular void in the blanket of clouds.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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