Five Very Unique and Spectacular Clouds
Five of the most unique and spectacular clouds known to man.
At some point in life we have all looked up at the clouds and have seen weird shapes and colors. At times we have even seen the clouds resemble familiar things to us but I guarantee a lot people haven’t seen the cloud formations I have wrote about. Not even me.
Stratocumulus Clouds
Now I’m not claiming to be a cloud expert or anything close to one but I know what I like and these are one of my favorite cloud formations. This certain type of cloud is called “Stratocumulus Cloud” which usually forms in the lower levels of the atmosphere at about 8,000 feet. Although in the first two pictures they seem nothing spectacular but as you see in the third picture at some rare times the clouds can form in thick lines like waves and get trapped in air currents.
To me these formations are one of the more relaxing ones to sit and watch if you ever have the chance and if you get the right type they make spectacular pictures.
Roll Clouds
Now when it comes to clouds these ones take the cake in freaking me out. They are so ominous looking that they look like they are about to roll in and destroy everything in their path.
Basically these “Roll Clouds” usually forms when warm moist air and water condenses forming the cloud and eventually rolling it with the winds. Usually they are a sign that a storm or something is on its way but that’s not always the case.
Also over the years many people have mistaken these cloud formations to be the start of tornados or hurricanes which is not the truth and really not even associated with them. Harmless or not they are still freaky looking to me!
Lenticular Clouds
These clouds are some of the most amazing clouds I have ever seen and UFO hunters hate them and you can see why.
These cloud formations are known as “Lenticular Clouds” which usually forms at high altitude when strong warm winds blow over ruff terrain causing these clouds to form at right angle on the right side of the terrain. Although that’s not the full details how they form it is the basic idea.
These certain clouds normally form at or around mountains and hills but not always. As mentioned above these clouds are commonly mistaken by people as UFO’s which one could easily see. It’s another amazing thing that only nature can create on such a large scale and remains to be one of my favorite formations.
Mammatus Clouds
These cloud formations are known as “Mammatus Clouds” which are some of the scariest looking clouds I have ever seen.
These clouds are also commonly mistaking by people as a sign of a tornado or hurricane coming but in all the truth experts claim these types of clouds usually form after the thunderstorms have passed.
I have also read on other sites that these certain types of clouds can actually be a warning of a pending thunderstorm so I don’t know which is true. Either way they look spectacular but I still can’t help imagining a tornado falling out of the middle of these destroying everything.
Nacreous Clouds
Now finally we have my favorite clouds known as “Nacreous Clouds” which usually form in really cold temperatures high in the atmosphere.
These clouds usually form in winter months and are truly an unforgettable site. They are also known to many people as Mother of Pearl clouds because of the colors usually resemble that of the inside of pearl shell. The clouds require temperatures below -80 Celsius to even start forming which is why here in Canada you’re more likely to see them on a regular basis.
So that’s it my list of five amazing and spectacular cloud formations. There are many more types of cloud formations it’s just that this 5 are my favorite and most appealing to the eye.
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29 Responses to “Five Very Unique and Spectacular Clouds”
On September 26, 2008 at 6:34 am
Very interesting and informative article
On September 26, 2008 at 6:38 am
The mammatus clouds are amazing. I’ve never seen them in real life but might be frightened if I did. Good article!
On September 26, 2008 at 11:47 am
The picture of the Stratocumulus Clouds looks like a field of cotton candy. Do you think that the Lenticular Clouds are what people see when they see UFOs? Great article and Amazing photos.
Warmest Regards,
Chris
On September 26, 2008 at 11:54 am
Well put together composition with SUPER picutres. Loved looking and reading this. Good job!
On September 26, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Oh my word…
I thought this was gonna be stuff i’d seen before, but no! Those lenticular clouds are truly amazing, i hope to see some one day. And as for those mammatus clouds, we never get anything like that in the UK.
Fantastic work.
On September 26, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This was wonderful, thanks! I had never even heard of some of these clouds. It would be helpful if you would say where the clouds occur; for example, I know lenticular clouds only appear at very high altitudes. I’d love to see some of these, I just don’t know where I’d need to look.
Very lovely page with great pictures, thanks again.
Cheers,
Cate
On September 26, 2008 at 3:05 pm
The Mammatus Clouds look like cotton balls. These are fantastic. I never knew there were so many variations of cloud formations. Well done Chris.
On September 26, 2008 at 6:37 pm
These clouds are gorgeous! Great pics, information, and articles in general.
Some of the clouds are really freaky, though.
On September 27, 2008 at 12:32 am
I wish I can see a mammatus cloud for REAL, nice article.
On September 27, 2008 at 3:52 am
Wonderful article.
On September 27, 2008 at 10:09 am
Can’t say enough, WOW!
Love the photos. You really have to be in the right place at the right time, with camera in hand. Awesome
On September 27, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Wow, your clouds are much cooler than the ones around my house. Those pics would make wonderful framed prints, wouldn’t they? Most of the clouds that form over my house are either 1) plain old rain clouds or 2) remnants of contrails from the jets flying over all day long. Yawn…
On September 27, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I live in Kansas and we get Mammatus Clouds quite often. I have seen them both before and after a thunderstorm, usually when there is a front of cooler air coming in. They’re pretty wild looking!
On September 28, 2008 at 5:29 am
I love your stuff.
On September 28, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Thank you to everybody. I’m glad to such faithful readers as you guys among others on this site. Glad everyone has enjoyed it so far and again Thank You Everybody!
On September 28, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Wow, learn something new every day. Here I’m thinking your basic cumulus and stratus..lol. Absolutely beautiful.
On September 28, 2008 at 4:34 pm
These cloud pictures are amazing and some are really scary looking. I’ve never seen anything like those before.
On September 28, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Wow, for one moment there i forgot I was looking at clouds. They just look amazingly marvelous.I only knew of four basic forms of clouds with their combinations, thanks for sharing.
On September 29, 2008 at 2:10 am
I saw some mammatus clouds when I was a little kid in Fargo. the sky was also a blood red and my mother couldn’t explain why the clouds looked like that. needless to say, it scared the crud out of me.
On September 29, 2008 at 11:35 am
YOU’RE WRONG
THEY’RE NOT CLOUDS – THEY REALLY ARE UFOs
On September 29, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I had no idea that clouds came in such specific shapes. This is a beautiful, amazing article! Wonderful work!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On September 29, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Those lenticular clouds are crazy, and the roll clouds, weird! Fantastic article. Amazing pictures.
On September 29, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Beautiful article. The roll clouds and the Mammatus clouds are scary alright.
Thanks for sharing.
On October 18, 2008 at 5:44 am
wow.i’ve never seen anything like this in my life.
amazing!!
On November 14, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I want to see some of those!
On May 5, 2009 at 10:49 am
these clouds are so COOL!
On May 30, 2009 at 9:26 pm
This was very unique and interesting to know. I have always liked the sky and the scenery it upholds. This is very knowledgeable for any age!
On September 17, 2009 at 9:30 pm
i already saw them in internet……but it was a good article….you can never get tired of them………
On September 30, 2009 at 12:33 am
Thanks for this~! It totally helped me in our earth science project. And, the clouds are totally awesome!! I haven’t seen one of these clouds yet though…
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