põuailinguid

Põuailinguid refers to a phenomenon observed in Estonia and other Baltic Sea regions. It describes a specific type of cloud formation that appears during prolonged periods of drought, or 'põud' in Estonian. These clouds are characterized by their wispy, elongated shapes, often resembling streaks or mares' tails in the sky. They are typically high-altitude clouds, composed of ice crystals.

The appearance of põuailinguid is often associated with atmospheric conditions that occur during dry spells. While they are a visual indicator of a particular weather pattern, they do not themselves cause rain. Instead, they are a consequence of the prevailing atmospheric moisture and wind patterns during a drought. The formation of these clouds can contribute to a feeling of continued dryness, as they signify a lack of significant precipitation.

The term is a descriptive one, reflecting the visual characteristics of the clouds and the dry conditions under which they appear. In folklore and traditional weather observation, põuailinguid might have been interpreted as a sign that the drought would persist. However, from a meteorological perspective, they are simply cirrus clouds forming under specific climatic circumstances. Their presence is more of an indicator of ongoing dry weather rather than a direct cause or predictor of future weather events beyond the immediate atmospheric conditions.