lenticular clouds
Posted on 06/05/2009 4:33:02 PM PDT by JoeProBono
These choppy clouds over Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in an undated picture could be examples of the first new type of cloud to be recognized since 1951. Or so hopes Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society.
The British cloud enthusiast said he began getting photos of "dramatic" and "weird" clouds (including the above) in 2005 that he didn't know how to define.
A few months ago he began preparing to propose the odd formations as a new cloud variety to the UN's World Meteorological Organization, which classifies cloud types.
Pretor-Pinney jokingly calls it the "Jacques Cousteau cloud," after its resemblance to a roiling ocean surface seen from below. But the cloud fan has proposed a "formal," Latin name: Undulus asperatusroughly, "a very turbulent, violent, chaotic form of undulation," explained Pretor-Pinney, author of the new Cloud Collector's Handbook.
Margaret LeMone, a cloud expert with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, said that she has taken photos of asperatus clouds intermittently over the past 30 years.
It's likely that the cloud will turn out to be a new variety, LeMone said.
"Having a group of people enthusiastic about clouds can only help the field of meteorology," she added.
Asked how has such a striking cloud type could go unrecognized, Pretor-Pinney cites its rarityand the proliferation and portability of digital cameras. "Technology has allowed us to have this new perspective on the sky."
lenticular clouds
We had some freaky clouds here a couple of days ago. Imagine rumpled satin sheets flipped upside-down. In my 53 years, I’ve never seen anything like it.
The ones over the Alpine Inn don’t look real! They look like something from an ‘Alien’ movie.
Sounds completely natural to me...
(and to you too, if you know what's good for you).
Who is the keymaster?
Dude...I’m freakin’ out...dang Judy Collins caused me to miss a great hit on a hottie many, many years ago...I thought those brane cells were long gong...
I wandered lonely as a cloud.
I usually grab the family and run to the basement when we see clouds like that!
I have seen clouds like picture #3 in Texas all my life.
The second photo is something I have never seen before. The others are pretty common here in Oregon.
That is a seriously cool cloud formation. What mountain is that?
Looks a lot like Mt Saint Helens after a heavy snow and a few years since the eruption.
Interesting.....Thanks.
That is what I was going to say, it looks like Altocumulus lenticular clouds to me. See them all the time, although not as stable as in your pictures.
....Bob (37 years in meteorology)
Yes, I am very familiar with these types of clouds with Mt. Rainier in view most of the time.
That looks like Satan’s Laugh.
Some of my cloud pics. Just got a digital camera. Here are some of my clouds. Having sooo much fun with it. .
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