Various cloud formations might be one of the most beautiful and romantic sights in nature. Still, these masses of liquid droplets is also a complex and scientifically interesting natural phenomenon. The interesting fact is that regardless of the shape and the looks of the cloud, they’re all made of the same thing – condensed water or ice. When the sun heats the ground, warm air starts to evaporate and rise towards the sky. Once these water vapor particles cluster together, a cloud is formed. If it is being joined by more water crystals and keeps growing, it will eventually reach us on the ground as rain or snow. Otherwise, the clouds simply evaporate into thin air.
Even though all the beautiful cloud formations might seem random and indescribable to you, there’s a whole cloud classification system that’s uniform worldwide. Luke Howard, British manufacturing chemist and an amateur meteorologist, was the first to introduce a nomenclature system for clouds back in 1802. Today clouds are categorized based on their shape, altitude, the process of formation, and other features.
Luckily, you don’t need to be a meteorologist or a science fan to appreciate the beauty of a cloudy sky. Here’s a selection of some stunning cloud photos – we bet that among them you’ll find some weir cloud formations that you’ve never actually seen before!
Inspired by: twistedsifter.com
Mammatus Clouds
Image credits: HeavyLight.ca
Image credits: Ken Lewis –
Image credits: Vincent Fryhover
Lenticular Clouds
Image credits: Brian Middleton
Image credits: Jean-Michel Priaux
Image credits: Dementievskiy Ivan
Undulatus Asperatus
Image credits: JΩSH
Image credits: wittap
Image credits: JΩSH
Fallstreak Hole
Image credits: ladigue_99
Image credits: mtnrockdhh
Image credits: lookseenseen
Polar Stratospheric Cloud
Image credits: Alan R. Light
Image credits: FotoLind
Image credits: FotoLind
Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz
Image credits: drdouglascordeiro.blogspot.com
Image credits: drdouglascordeiro.blogspot.com
Image credits: pfjc&pfjc2
Roll Clouds
Image credits: Kick Petroff
Image credits: apod.nasa.gov
Anvil Clouds
Image credits: Nicholas_T
Image credits: hide
Image credits: *Lampy*
Also, check out Smeared Sky Photography by Matt Molloy
The " Roll Clouds " are called " Morning Glory ". Not tryin to be rude, but get it right.
"Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" The Holy Quran, chapter: Fussilat. Verse: 53
Definitely, something --a phenomenon? -- is going on.
The " Roll Clouds " are called " Morning Glory ". Not tryin to be rude, but get it right.
"Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" The Holy Quran, chapter: Fussilat. Verse: 53
Definitely, something --a phenomenon? -- is going on.