Mushroom Cloud Over Palo Verde
by Dan Heim
Photographer Comments:
Canon EOS 20D, full auto
December 27, 2010, New River, AZ
While enjoying our beautiful Arizona sunsets, I occasionally
notice this anomalous cloud that always seems to form in the same
location, approximately SW from my point of view. After checking
Google Earth, I realized it must be an effect from the cooling
towers at the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant. From my location in New
River, the Plant is located about 56 miles to the southwest. The
first image shows the Google Earth map. Subsequent images show
the cloud at 30 minute intervals near sunset.
The cooling towers at Palo Verde are always venting a plume of warm air. During cool temperatures and humid weather, when the dew point is just right, the plume creates a distinct cloud separate from prevailing weather patterns. As the Sun sets, and temperatures drop, the cloud morphs accordingly.