New Cloud Type Discovered: ‘Undulus Asperatus’
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(METEOROLOGYNEWS.com) In the first new cloud type to be officially designated in over 50 years, members of the Cloud Appreciation Society are pushing for official recognition of the undulating, ominous-appearing clouds.
Turbulent motions between differing air masses create undulating clouds as seen over rural Kansas in the early morning hours of April 28, 2006. Meteorologists are proposing these clouds be designated as the first new cloud type to be named in over 50 years: Undulus Asperatus.
The Cloud Appreciation Society has designated the clouds as “Undulus Asperatus” or alternatively, “Undulatus Asperatus.” The Latin term translates loosely as “turbulent undulation.” Such clouds are relatively rare, but have been photographed in several areas around the world.
Turbulent motions between differing air masses create undulating clouds as seen over rural Kansas in the early morning hours of April 28, 2006. Meteorologists are proposing these clouds be designated as the first new cloud type to be named in over 50 years: Undulus Asperatus.
The ominous-looking clouds have been particularly common in the Plains states of the United States, often during the morning or midday hours following convective thunderstorm activity. These clouds are not considered a precursor to severe weather, rather appear to form following rain or thunderstorm activity.
Jane Wiggins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa recently captured several spectacular images of the new cloud type as viewed from a downtown office building. Several of her images have recently been published by National Geographic Magazine – an honor which Wiggins does not take lightly.
This turbulently undulating cloud photographed over Cedar Rapids Iowa may soon be designated as the first new cloud type named in over 50 years: Undulus Asperatus. Source: Jane Wiggins
This turbulently undulating cloud photographed over Cedar Rapids Iowa may soon be designated as the first new cloud type named in over 50 years: Undulus Asperatus. Source: Jane Wiggins
“It is a bit like looking at the surface of a choppy sea from below,” said Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, who first identified the asperatus cloud from photographs that were being sent in by members of the society.
“We try to identify and classify all of the images of clouds we get in, but there were some that just didn’t seem to fit in any of the other categories, so I began to think it might be a unique type of cloud.
This turbulently undulating cloud photographed over Cedar Rapids Iowa may soon be designated as the first new cloud type named in over 50 years: Undulus Asperatus. Source: Jane Wiggins
“The underside of the clouds are quite rough and choppy. It looks very stormy, but some of the reports we have been getting suggest that they tend to break up without actually turning into a storm.”
The Royal Meteorological Society is now gathering detailed weather data for the days and locations where the asperatus clouds have been seen in an attempt to understand exactly what is causing them.
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Those are the most beautiful clouds I have ever seen! (yes, i’m a geek i know)
We have these clouds a few times a year, not a spectacular as the ones Wiggins saw, but really darn neat!
I’ve seen the exact same types of clouds before, but it is usually rare. They always aren’t as turbulent, but they are still quite amazing. After a night of storms and rain, it is neat to see those clouds on the usually cool next morning.
I don’t think they are either “beautiful” or, for God’s sake, “neat.” They look like the end of the world.
Are there any photos of what they look like from the top? What is their height and how close to the ground? Do we know if their chemical composition is somehow different?
Wondering if this would fall into the suggested category?
http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/striking-wellington-clouds
Wow …. the clouds over Iowa were simply fantastic. I agree that they classify these clouds as a new type
Does this spark concern for anyone about global warming? I mean lets think about it…a new cloud type designated at a time where co2 emissions are at an all time high. I don’t think they look neat, I think they look like a bunch of pollutants gathered in an ominous form
Nickoli Tesla knew that energy is the atmosphere can be manlipulated by man . period. Weather modification ie; chemical trails or chem trails, government patents ,spraying equipment. High Energy MICROWAVES… OR Earth and The Galactic Plane INTERNET SEARCH…
SPELLING…
We saw these clouds on our way to work, yesterday, June 26th, in the county of Haliburton, Ontario. Unfortunately did not have a camera with us.
While the clouds are probably not occurring more frequently than in the past, they’re being photographed more often (Can you say cell phone?)—and will continue to increase in number now that more people are looking for them.
I saw the most beautiful cloudy day similar to these about a month ago here in New England. I wish I had my camera because they were like huge perfectly smooth water waves for miles, one over another similar to making watercolor waves and I couldn’t take my eyes away from the sky. I’m not a huge fan of cloudy days, but this was as beautiful as a clear blue sunny sky.
I took two photos one minute apart of asperatus on September 2nd last year at breakfast time. These clouds were evolving rapidly by the second, as can be seen on my FLICKR “Skies” photoset at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10946461@N05/sets/72157615858435967/.
The location was southwest France, at a spot said by locals to be the balance point between Atlantic-dominated weather (5 miles to the west) and continetal weather (5 miles to the east). I have never seen these clouds before.
These clouds are a result of voluminous heavy aerosol spraying by military tanker jets. This is happening all over the world, and has been for over a decade. Why else would we have a new cloud type after 50 years? It’s ironic how beautiful certain death can appear, isn’t it? YouTube chemtrails & the name of your city/state/country. You’ll be shocked at what other people have recorded going on in the skies while you weren’t paying attention…
I have been observing this type of cloud formation for years here in Southern Catalonia- glad it finally has a name….
Undulus? what language is this?
Undulatus- Latin- I can understand that……
I have been observing this cloud formation here in Spain for years.
Finally I can put a a name to it-
but undulus? what language is this?
undulatus is Latin- THAT I can understand…
see my shot on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marialuisa/509913830/
Its a type of cloud caused by HAARP and chemtrails, would’nt we have discovered this “new cloud ” already?
I live in Prairie du Chien, Wis. and have been an avid cloud-watcher for over 50 years now. I’ve frequently encountered these beautiful and fascinating “undulatus” cloud formations in this area. From my own observations as a non-professional, they appear to be a type of wave-cloud often associated with thunderstorm development during intense over-riding which is occurring in advance of a warm front and its associated mid-latitude cyclone.
They seem to occur with, and actually develop from, ranks of altocumulus castellanus clouds as their bases thicken and lower during unstable atmospheric conditions. The undulating cloud bases are indications of significant mid-level atmospheric wind shear, and may contain a wispy, stratiform component. The mid-to-upper portion of the cloud mass usually displays considerable cumulus tower development, again indicative of instability. I’m thinking that this cloud type may also form in the humid air along thunderstorm outflow boundaries as well, without actually developing into thunderstorms themselves. An observer scanning the sky will notice that these clouds frequently are alligned in well-defined “cloud streets”.
I believe this cloud type is already described under the category “billow clouds”, which seem to include a vast family of interrelated, little-understood low-to medium, and even some high-level cloud formations. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa display was indeed breath-taking, though not unique since I recall witnessing a similar event a few years ago where I live.
The study of the huge category of “undulatus” clouds has been my lifetime obsession and enjoyment—they’re very common, seem to have a multiple genesis (although all are wind-shear related), and best of all, they’re FREE! Are there any other cloud fanatics out there who have an opinion on the topic?
Phil Burgess