Bar (tropical cyclone) (original) (raw)

The bar of a mature tropical cyclone is a very dark gray-black layer of cloud that appears to be near to the horizon as seen from an observer preceding the approach of the storm, and is composed primarily of dense stratocumulus clouds. Cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds bearing precipitation follow immediately after the passage of the wall-like bar. Altostratus, cirrostratus and cirrus clouds are usually visible in ascending order above the top of the bar, while the wind direction for an observer facing toward the bar is typically from the left and slightly behind the observer.