A Guide to the Undulatus Asperatus Cloud
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Undulatus Asperatus - Clouds of Armageddon?
The breathtaking undulatus asperatus cloud billows and rolls like waves at sea, it is rather disorientating to see upside down waves in the sky!
I have been very fortunate to have seen an asperatus cloud walking to work on a muggy humid morning about a month ago. As I rounded the corner I looked up and the sky made me stop in my tracks!
The billows of the asperatus cloud I saw looked as soft and smooth as ripples of silk. I didn't have a camera with me so grabbed my mobile phone and took as many photos as I could. It made me late for work!
This page looks at how this beautiful and newly classified cloud is formed, along with a few of my photos. I hope you will find this cloud as wonderful as I do!
Contents at a Glance
The Asperatus is a Newly Classified Cloud
the first cloud identified since 1951!
The founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, Gavin Pretor Pinney, is the person responsible for initially bringing this cloud to the attention of the Royal Meteorological Society as a potential "new" cloud. All clouds are classified into 10 major groups, with varieties and species. The last cloud to be classified and named was the cirrus intortus in 1951 - so this was big news for weather fans!
After founding the Cloud Appreciation Society in 2005, Gavin Pretor Pinney was inundated with wonderful photos of clouds from all over the world and one particular cloud kept catching his eye and that he couldn't identify.
After bringing the Asperatus to the attention of the Royal Meteorological Society, they then presented the data about this cloud to the UN's World Meteorological Organisation in Geneva. In June 2009, the Undulatus Asperatus was officially classified and listed in the International Cloud Atlas.
Take a look at this fantastic article from the Royal Meteorological Society, which gives the in depth scoop on the process of identifying the Undulatus Asperatus cloud.
Undulatus Asperatus Facts
Learn how, why and when these clouds are formed
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The species of this cloud is "undulatus" which means "wave" In Latin. The variety of the cloud is "asperatus" which means "roughened" so the name literally descibes how this cloud looks, like rough waves!
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This is a low cloud and is seen at about 2000 meters (6000 feet).
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Despite their stormy end-of-the-world-is-nigh appearance, these clouds do not produce rain or a storm. They are most likely to be seen following convective thunderstorm activity.
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Asperatus clouds are formed by warm and cold air meeting, this causes a turbulant effect. The British newspaper, The Telegraph uses the metaphor of vinegar and olive oil meeting in a great article about this cloud, which describes the transition very nicely! There is some disagreement about this though from scientists, it is also believed that Asperatus can form when dry air meets moist air.
A Timelapse Video of Asperatus Clouds
You can see the wave motion of the Asperatus in this video
Where to See Undulatus Asperatus Clouds
go cloudspotting!
Undulatus Asperatus clouds are most commonly seen in the Great Plains of the USA, although you may see one anywhere in the world if the weather conditions are right. If you live in any of the places listed below, keep an eye on the sky!
My Undulatus Asperatus Photos
It was only a baby Asperatus, but still beautiful!
Clouds tend to photograph looking flat, so I adjusted the contrast on these to give you a better idea of how they looked. It would be amazing to see a really dramatic Asperatus - maybe one day!
Do You Love Crazy Looking Clouds!?
If so, please give this page a thumbs up!
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My Favourite Cloud Book
From the man who identified the Asperatus Cloud
This is the perfect book for all cloud spotters out there! Read my review of this book here:
The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds
Amazon Price: $7.87 (as of 02/17/2012)
Now in paperback: the runaway British bestseller that has cloudspotters everywhere looking up.
Amazon Product Description
Where do clouds come from? Why do they look the way they do? And why have they captured the imagination of timeless artists, Romantic poets, and every kid who's ever held a crayon? Veteran journalist and lifelong sky watcher Gavin Pretor-Pinney reveals everything there is to know about clouds, from history and science to art and pop culture. Cumulus, nimbostratus, and the dramatic and surfable Morning Glory cloud are just a few of the varieties explored in this smart, witty, and eclectic tour through the skies.
Who's Seen an Asperatus Undulatus Today?
these clouds are news worthy!
Have You Seen an Undulatus Asperatus?
I want to hear all about your cloud spotting!
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pcatspence
Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:30 am | delete
- I was lucky enough to see these gorgeous clouds while driving down the Louisiana highway today. Ive been searching for them for over a year now, amazing!
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KarenTBTEN
Oct 27, 2011 @ 9:39 am | delete
- Mostly we just have a soft gray sky where I live. But those do look like upside down waves.
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KarenTBTEN
Oct 27, 2011 @ 9:39 am | delete
- Mostly we just have a soft gray sky where I live. But those do look like upside down waves.
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Reply
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KarenTBTEN
Oct 27, 2011 @ 9:39 am | delete
- Mostly we just have a soft gray sky where I live. But those do look like upside down waves.
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bbsmith
Oct 23, 2011 @ 6:26 pm | delete
- Are these clouds seen in Portland, Maine on October 19, 2011 undulatus asperatus? Sorry for the advert at the beginning of the video: http://www.wmtw.com/video/29539928/detail.html
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by LKW31
The Asperatus Undulatus cloud has to be in my top three favourite cloud formations. It is simply jaw droppingly awesome!
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