[Slang], a particular type of
inflow band with a relatively broad, flat appearance suggestive of a beaver's tail. It is attached to a
supercell's general
updraft and is oriented roughly parallel to the
pseudo-warm front , i.e., usually east to west or southeast to northwest. As with any inflow band, cloud elements move toward the updraft, i.e., toward the west or northwest. Its size and shape change as the strength of the inflow changes. See also
inflow stinger . Spotters should note the distinction between a beaver tail and a
tail cloud . A "true" tail cloud typically is attached to the
wall cloud and has a cloud base at about the same level as the wall cloud itself. A beaver tail, on the other hand, is not attached to the wall cloud and has a cloud base at about the same height as the
updraft base (which by definition is higher than the wall cloud). Unlike the beaver tail, the tail cloud forms from air that is flowing from the storm's main precipitation cascade region (or outflow region). Thus, it can be oriented at a large angle to the pseudo-warm front.
