Have you ever seen clouds like this?
There are many different kind of cloud, but there are only three main groups, cirrus, stratus and cumulus.
This representation is not to scale
This picture shows you the three types with one extra, a kind of cumulus cloud known as cumulo-nimbus.
Recently some scientists have said that the cloud in the top picture cannot be described by the three types, and it should have its own name.
They have called it asperatus, which is from Latin, meaning ‘to make rough’. And it sure looks rough! I wouldn’t like to be walking around without an umbrella under these clouds.
And if you want to see another picture of asperatus cloud here you are:
It looks beautiful in a photo.
And there is another here.
6 responses so far ↓
Moebius // June 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm |
These are fantastic clouds! They are starting to look like those special effects clouds in those heavy CG effects movies.
Is this a case where nature is imitating art?
I’m curious though as to what weather or climate conditions allow these asperatus clouds to form. Could this by tied in to climate change?
Maybe Martina’s comment of it having an “end of the world” ominous look might not be too far off the mark if this is related to increased GHG emissions. Eerily beautiful though.
lojol // June 22, 2009 at 9:34 pm
It could well be tied to climate change.
However I can’t believe that this cloud formation has suddenly appeared, it is probably simply occurring with more frequency recently.
dragonlife // June 10, 2009 at 8:38 pm |
The last one looks like a painting by that famous Norwegian artist!
lojol // June 11, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Munch?
Martina // June 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm |
IT might look beautiful, but don´t u say you canot see it 2 – it´s scary as hell. Looks like end of the world was near. Even if I don´t think so…
lojol // June 4, 2009 at 10:30 pm
It does look scary, Martina. Maybe ‘hellish cloud’ would be a better description.