Rare 'roll cloud' phenomenon captured in dramatic timelapse footage

An apocalyptic-looking roll cloud was spotted in Florida on Tuesday

A rare roll cloud passed over the town of Tamarac in southern Florida this week.

The tube-shaped cloud was captured in dramatic timelapse footage as it swept across the sky.

Despite its appearance, this type of cloud is not a type of tornado or a biblical omen, but a low, horizontal formation caused by an outflow of cold air.

A roll cloud is a type of arcus cloud. It is similar to a shelf cloud, but is unusually detached from the surrounding cloud features.

The phenomenon can last for several hours and often appear on the edge of a thunderstorm.