“Parachuting Through Clouds: What to Expect and How to Do It Safely”

Jakarta –

Have we ever imagined being able to touch the cloud or penetrate it? Maybe in our shadows it will feel soft and cold. But is it really like that?

To find out, of course, you must first know that clouds are formed when water molecules condense around airborne particles known as aerosols.

According to Marile Colon Robles, an atmospheric scientist at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, the nature of these aerosols influences the type and size of the clouds they produce.

“Not all aerosols are created equal,” he said, who focused on studying clouds, quoted from Live Science.

Certain natural aerosols, such as dust, usually trigger the formation of ice particles, while sea spray precipitates water molecules.

Scientists have also experimented with seeding the atmosphere with artificial aerosols, including silver or lead iodide, to produce thick, bright clouds that reflect incoming solar radiation away from Earth or cause rain and snow.

How Does It Feel to Break Through the Clouds?

One way to feel or penetrate the clouds is through skydiving. This adrenaline-pumping sport can soar through the clouds.

However, the floating experience will vary depending on the type of cloud, protective equipment and weather conditions.

Since parachutists jump from 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), they will likely encounter stratus and cumulus clouds.

Both types of clouds are composed mostly of water molecules, and when they occur at an altitude of over 6,500 feet (1,980 meters), they are called altostratus and altocumulus clouds to indicate their position in the atmosphere.

But in general, going through the clouds would be drenched, cold, even unconscious.

Piercing Clouds While Parachuting Can Be Dangerous

Ryan Katchmar, a skydiving instructor revealed that one should not skydive through the clouds on purpose.

This is because if the cloud that is passing through is a dark, thick, and dense cloud, it will feel like an impact and get drenched.

“The air will be very humid and feel like a crash of speed,” said Katchmar.

In addition, he also revealed that breaking through such clouds could create unexpectedly cold conditions. The jumpers (parachuting) will avoid the risk of injury by going through the clouds.

A recent competition, showed that the noses and cheekbones of the parachutists turned white while passing through the clouds.

“As you pass through the clouds, you can feel ice forming overhead,” said Katchmar.

Parachuting Through a Thunderstorm

In parachuting, Colon Robles said that the most extreme case for parachutists is during bad weather, thunderstorms. In a storm cloud, warm air rises at a speed of 160 km/h.

But at higher altitudes, these particles feel the pull of gravity and fall as rain or hail.

“During a thunderstorm, most of the lightning occurs inside. Lightning can strike at any time,” he said.

In 1959, this incident happened to US Lieutenant Colonel William Rankin when he stepped out of his fighter jet in bad weather and hovered for 40 minutes in a storm cloud. Because of this incident, he got frostbite and almost drowned (in the clouds).

This incident also happened to a German paraglider named Ewa Wisnierska who was accidentally struck by lightning during the world paragliding championship.

He lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen and landed a few hours later some 60 km away.

Tips for Piercing the Clouds

With various hazards and varying weather conditions in the clouds, Colon Robles provides tips for someone who wants to break through the clouds.

The method does not need to fly in the air, but can cross the clouds on foot among the fog.

“Fog is a stratus type cloud, the cool and dense air gives an idea of ​​how paragliding through the clouds is the same as crossing the fog,” said the atmospheric scientist at NASA.

Watch Video “BMKG Reveals the Potential of Cumulonimbus Clouds in a Number of Regions “

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