Nature Science

A BEAUTIFUL NEW KIND OF CLOUD

While there are just 10 major types of clouds in our atmosphere, there are about 80 sub-types. You’ve probably seen many, either in person or in photos. But there’s one you probably haven’t seen -- a new kind of cloud.

Giant orange cloud at sunset over mountains and lake.

Originally discovered in Iowa, in 2005, by members of the Cloud Appreciation Society (CAS), this new cloud was named Undulatus Asperatus, by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, CAS founder.

Undulatus Asperatus, a new kind of cloud recently discovered. Atlanta, Georgia.

Since its first discovery, there have been noted sightings of the Undulatus by CAS members all around the U.S.

Asperatus clouds over the Lofoten Islands, Norway.

Undulatus Asperatus is being evaluated for official recognition this year by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. If it passes muster, this cloud will be listed in the International Cloud Atlas as the first official new cloud classification since 1951.

Newly discovered Undulatus Asperatus cloud.

Undulatus, means “wavy” in Latin and asperatus means “to roughen.” Aptly named. This cloud looks like a gargantuan mass of dark, billowing waves.

Giant soft purple undulatus Asperatus clouds at twilight.

The cloud forms when shear winds blow above thick stable layers of clouds. Their common boundary is sensitive to small turbulences and amplifies them to create giant waves.

Asperatus clouds over Schiehallion, Perthshire, Scotland.

Check out this recent video of the cloud’s waves rolling into South Carolina and Georgia!

Undulatus Asperatus, a newly discovered type of cloud, hangs over house.

Pretor-Pinney and members of the Cloud Appreciation Society remind us to look up everyday, because something beautiful may be floating right above us without our knowing.

Swirling grey clouds.

If you would like to join their 37,000+ members in the study and celebration of the beauty of clouds, visit the CAS website and forum.

Grey Undulatus Asperatus clouds in sky above suburban houses.

Read more about Soft Beauty all this week on BeautifulNow, including Soft Places to Land, Soft Furry Feathered Beauties, The Beauty of Soft Dawns and Soft Grey Inspiration. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Image: by Hunda. Asperatus 3.

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Undulatus Asperatus clouds move across blue sky.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Maxime Raynal. étrange nuage.
Image: by Bryce Bradford. Twin Peaks Sunset.
Image: by Jeremy Campbell. Atlanta Undulatus Asperatus.
Image: Courtesy of Cloud Appreciation Society. Asperatus clouds over the Lofoten Islands, Norway.
Image: by Alex Schueth. Undulatus Asperatus.
Image: Courtesy of WDRB. Undulatus Asperatus.
Image: Courtesy of Cloud Appreciation Society. Asperatus over Schiehallion, Perthshire, Scotland.
Image: by Alex Schueth. Undulatus Asperatus.
Image: by Agathman. Clouds over Pocahontas, Missouri.
Image: by Frank Boston. Crazy Clouds.
Image: by Hunda. Asperatus 3.
Image: by Luis Argerich. Undulatus.