Amazing Natural Cloud Formation

Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular clouds form at high altitudes. They occur when air flowing over the mountain cools below the dew point. They have a saucer like appearance.

Asperatus

These dramatic and amazing cloud forms are called asperatus. They were first named in 2009 and are closely related to undulatus clouds. They look like storm clouds bringing impending doom but often dissipate before the storm.

Punch Hole Clouds

Punch hole clouds are rare but often form when airplanes disturb the clouds. As the ice crystals fall, they form a hole in the clouds.

Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus clouds are scary looking clouds that usually appear after thunderstorms. They are so named because they resemble a woman's breast.

Nacreous Clouds

Nacreous clouds are seen in the north. They receive sunlight from below the horizon and reflect it brightly to the surface of the earth. People unfamiliar with this type of cloud often mistake them for UFO's

Noctilucent Clouds

Noctilucent Clouds look like luminescent blue-white tendrils in the sky. They usually appear after sunset in the arctic circle.

Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus clouds are high thin wispy clouds formed by strong westerly winds. They are also called mare's tails because of their shape.

Roll Clouds

Roll clouds are an amazing natural phenomena that are formed by a downdraft of an approaching cold front.

Shelf Clouds

Shelf clouds are what you see when a strong thunderstorm is rolling in and can even cause damage. They are similar to roll clouds

Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz

Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz is a rare cloud formation that dissipates after a few minutes. They are rarely seen because of this. They resemble waves on the ocean rippling across the sky.