What is a wall cloud?

Q: What is a wall cloud?

A: A wall cloud is found on the south or southwest side of a thunderstorm which is also the inflow side of a thunderstorm. Not all wall cloud’s rotate, the one’s that do form before a tornado or strong storm. Rotating wall clouds can develop up to an hour before or a few minutes like 5 minutes before the tornado develops. Rotating wall clouds that persist need to be monitored for the risk of tornadoes. Wall clouds can go on for 5 miles or only 1 mile in diameter. Wall clouds usually resemble rapid upward motion and counterclockwise rotation.

Wall clouds are used in tropical meteorology to describe the inner wall surrounding the eye of a hurricane, but it is known as the eyewall.