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Stormy Weather

Tornadoes

What is a beaver tail?

A beaver tail is a colorful name for a broad, flat, descending cloud that can be seen during some rain storms. Beaver tails usually form outside any areas of falling precipitation, and they tend to swirl inward toward a wall cloud.



Storm chasers, both professional meteorologists and amateurs, provide additional eyes and research observations that have proven helpful to the National Weather Service and NOAA. (NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ER/National Severe Storms Laboratory)
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