Extraordinary Clouds

[Adi]

Hi all

Mammatus cloud is not a cloud as such; it is formed by sinking air from a cloud.

They are formed by cool humid air drops from the sinks from the cloud into warmer air, the warmer air starts to cool till it reaches its dew point and the moister condenses forming more cloud but as warm air tends to rise between the bulges to compensate for the down draft.

It must be pointed out that mammatus is not an indication of storm severity or even tornadic storm in fact it is normally associated with dissipating storms.

 

[Tantalus]

How can a cloud not be a cloud Adi ?



Tant

 

[Adi]

It is a supplementary feature of a cloud not a cloud/

There are 10 types of clouds that can be broken down further to 14 different species with a further 9 varieties.

Then there are 3 Accessory clouds that occur in conjunction with one of the 10 cloud types.

And, finally there are 6 supplementary features of which Mammatus is one.

 

[Tantalus]

Thanks

now i know why i never understand the weather

Tant

 

[y2keable]

brilliant pictures, i think i'd mess myself if i saw them in person

 

[FeralSheryl]

It is a supplementary feature of a cloud not a cloud/

There are 10 types of clouds that can be broken down further to 14 different species with a further 9 varieties.

Then there are 3 Accessory clouds that occur in conjunction with one of the 10 cloud types.

And, finally there are 6 supplementary features of which Mammatus is one.

Clouds have species? How charming.
I'm going to enjoy learning to recognise them.

 

[Mutley]

I have seen 1 or 2 like these in the UK but none so strong!

Nice find.

 

[lostplanet]

spotted this when looking for a forecast, nice pics.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/multimedia/gallery/