Cirrus Streak Over Arizona Thunderheads

Vivid blue sky dominates the upper frame, pierced by a sharp, white hook of cirrus uncinus cloud stretching diagonally. Below, a heavy wall of stacked thunderheads rises from the Arizona horizon, their bases dark and textured with deep gray shadows. Late afternoon tropical light hits the cloud tops, creating brilliant white highlights against the stormy underbellies. The layers of atmosphere recede, showing distinct planes of depth between the high wisps and the looming storm mass. The ground remains hidden, showing the vertical scale of the weather system. A thin shadow line cuts across the base of the nearest thunderhead.