Hole Punch Clouds make an appearance across Eastern Kentucky

"Hole punch clouds" or "Fallstreak holes" occur when a part of the cloud falls out, leaving behind a hole. These holes are formed when the water droplet temperature in the clouds are below freezing but have yet to freeze over. These types of water droplets (ones that drop below 0º Celsius - 32º F and do not freeze over) are called supercooled droplets. When ice crystals do form, it causes the water droplets around the crystals to evaporate.

Research shows that more ice crystals can form by passing aircraft which offers a reduction in pressure from the wings/propellers. This causes air to cool quickly as ice crystals trail the passing aircraft.

The first three photos were sent in from Dustin Jordan in Pine Ridge, Ky. The last photo of the four was in Blackey, Ky. from Manis Blair.