Undulatus Asperatus – The ‘Holy Crap’ of Cloud Formations

I’m sitting here with the wife, and she gets my attention to show me this video:

Those undulus asperatus cloud formations are nearly unbelievable to the eye.  I rubbed mine three or four times while watching that video, there are several portions where I could have sworn it was a ‘shopped job.  But, nope!

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.

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.

“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.

Well, what do you think of that?  I have to say that is some quite incredible visual magic!  Can you imagine that on the side of a convention center?

One more video, this one is freaking awesomesauce:

Too cool.