SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, on a brutally cold Minnesota winter morning when tires on roadways sound like boots crunching glass, when breathing in outdoor air almost hurts, when brilliant sunshine deceives, I noticed a strange sight in the sky. An endless skinny squiggle.
Alarmed, I wondered at the contrail resembling the attempts of a preschooler free-styling the letter “S.” Was this thin white line revealing an out-of-control aircraft about to crash? It’s interesting where the mind wanders when knowledge lacks. I will be the first to admit I don’t understand much about airplanes. I still don’t understand the physics of flight, not that I’ve even tried to educate myself. It simply does not interest me.
With questions racing through my mind, I grabbed my camera to document the scene through my front picture window. Yes, utility wires and dirty glass distracted, but I held no desire to step into the frigid cold to take photos.
Upon discussing the skinny squiggles with Randy many hours later, he suggested the cold, stillness and other “just right” atmospheric weather conditions caused those skinny contrail squiggles. Right? Wrong? What do you think (or know)? I’m listening.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Interesting…I have no idea
Me either, really no idea.
Being retired from the National Weather Service I should know the answer to this. First time I have ever seen this. Usually contrails just move along with the prevailing winds at that height in the atmosphere. I can only guess that right at that level in the atmosphere there was extreme turbulence moving the air wildly around. I wouldn’t want to be flying through it! I am curious to see other comments to maybe prove me wrong.
Well, Brad, you are the first to offer any insights. I look forward to additional perspectives. Right now I’m going with your thoughts given your professional weather experience.
Whatever they are they are neat looking!
Yes, those squiggles were definitely interesting, intriguing. artsy…
So interesting, but I have no idea?
Brad, in the comments section, has offered the only insight thus far based on his meteorology experience.
Contrails are made up of mostly water. I think Brad is right. Turbulence, water vapor, freezing temps, made those squiggles.
I’m going with Brad also given his work in weather.
You piqued my interest with this post. Brad is on the right path. These appear to be sinusoidal thin contrails.
-Jocelyn
Thank you for the addition of the words “sinusoidal thin contrails.” We are all learning and Brad started the lesson.
They sure are interesting! I enjoyed reading the other commenters opinions.
I appreciated the comments also to offer insights into these squiggles.