KOTA KINABALU: A dramatic shelf cloud formation rolled across Sabah’s west coast, captivating residents and sparking a flurry of social media posts filled with awe and a hint of anxiety.
The thick, arc-shaped cloud, dark and imposing, was spotted just before sunrise yesterday, as it loomed over Kota Kinabalu and nearby areas, including Penampang, Likas and the Tanjung Lipat waterfront.
Shortly after, heavy rain lashed the region.
Sabah Meteorological Department director Amirzudi Hashim said the striking weather phenomenon is known as a “garis badai” or squall line.
“It’s a line of active thunderstorm clouds that typically forms over the sea before moving inland. It often brings thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds,” he explained.
Amirzudi added that while visually impressive, squall lines are a common occurrence during the southwest monsoon season and are not a cause for concern.
One early riser, Rodelio Taucan, captured images of the cloud in Penampang at around 6.30am.
“I was nervous because I had a flight to Kuala Lumpur and wasn’t sure if the weather would delay it,” he said.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram were soon flooded with images of the shelf cloud, with users remarking on how it seemed to “swallow the skyline”, particularly near landmarks such as the Tun Mustapha Tower and the Sabah State Administrative Centre at Likas Bay.
