Watch: Rare 'tsunami roll cloud' appears over Portugal beaches, sparks doomsday debate
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Heatwave triggers unusual weather patterns
What is a roll cloud or Tsunami cloud?
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Authorities issue fire risk warnings
A rare meteorological event known as a " roll cloud " appeared over beaches in Portugal on Monday, catching beachgoers by surprise and gaining attention on social media. According to EuroNews, the cloud formation occurred as the country faced a severe heatwave. The unusual cloud was seen rolling in from the ocean along several parts of the Portuguese coast.Portugal has been experiencing extreme temperatures over recent days, with the heat triggering unstable weather across the mainland. On Sunday, various parts of the country witnessed unexpected weather events including sudden rain, hail, and thunderstorms. The roll cloud on Monday added to the list of rare occurrences.A roll cloud is a low, horizontal, tube-shaped arcus cloud that moves along a horizontal axis. It forms when cool air flows into warm, moist air, often ahead of a thunderstorm. Though it resembles a massive ocean wave, it is unrelated to tsunamis.The clip shared on social media shows the dense cloud emerging from the ocean and rapidly approaching the beach. As it moves inland, strong winds begin to blow, startling people on the beach.The video, posted by the user @volcaholic1 on June 30, 2025, has gathered over 20,000 views and continues to circulate widely online."Holy canoly! Is this the storm front that will give Europeans a respite from the heatwave in a few days?" one user asked."It's interesting, because they used to be very common here in Northern Portugal back when my parents were kids (60s-70s) and then they disappeared until yesterday," wrote another."Wow, it's like a wave!" another viewer commented. "So ominous looking!" added a different user.As temperatures are expected to rise further this week, the National Civil Protection Authority has issued alerts and safety recommendations. The agency has classified the risk of rural fires as 'Very High' to 'Maximum' in northern and central interior regions as well as the Algarve.Read Also | Man jumps overboard to save daughter after she falls from Disney cruise shipAccording to EuroNews, the Portuguese authorities are closely monitoring weather developments and have urged the public to follow preventive guidelines to ensure safety during the ongoing heatwave.
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