Strange Cloud Appears In California Sky

A strange cloud formation over Northern California puzzled witnesses and sparked debates all over social media when the photos of the incident emerged Headlines & Global News reported.

The bizarre images show a bright, unusual hole in the otherwise undisturbed clouds over Stockton on Friday afternoon. Users on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and California folks were abuzz with speculation about the cause of the phenomenon. Some suggested that its rare appearance belies an even weirder cause.

"So the @WhiteHouse wants you to believe what happened over the skies of Stockton yesterday was a 'cloud formation'? GTFOH #iKnowWhatiSaw," tweeted @CaPtDCharles.

While most of the conjecture revolved around the formation of the bright cloud being either a UFO or the work of extraterrestrial life, there were plenty of other theories floating around, according to Headlines & Global News

"Stockton, interesting stuff happening there as always...weather manipulation much? hmm," tweeted @AceThePhantom.  

@NGC postulated something a bit more cinematic, "Is that the wormhole from Donnie Darko?" he wondered.

As the photos gained more viewership across the Internet, the phenomenon was identified as a hole punch cloud or Fallstreak hole by users.  A similar phenomenon in 2010 also caused rampant speculation. Such formations are common in many parts of the globe but are rarely seen in places as warm as Stockton, according to CBS13.   

Hole punch clouds of Fallstreak clouds are most commonly referred to when holes appear in clouds. Due to the combined action of both mother nature and man, the atmospheric phenomena occurs.  "For the Fallstreak hole to begin, cirrocumulus or altocumulus must contain super-cooled water which cannot freeze without a tiny particle to first cling to." 

"Scientific opinion as to what finally causes the ice to form and begin to crystallize in the atmosphere has only solidified in recent years as meteorologists have become more certain that airplanes flying through the clouds start the process."  

"Air passing along propeller blades or wings expands and cools rapidly. The ice crystals begin to form and after the plane is long gone, the crystals can still be seen where they've dropped down below the cloud."  "What's left above the drifting ice particles is a round hole in the cloud that can sometimes be spectacularly large."