Weird cloud formations

[DeDukshyn]

 
This thread is for posting any weird cloud formations that seem to defy our expectations of cloud formations.

Here's mine - Weird clouds over Calgary the other day ...
Ok, so weird clouds over Calgary isn't anything new - we have our fair share of atmospheric oddities, just due to the location between the great plains and the Rocky Mountains. Strangers and newcomers certainly will notice some of our odd clouds.

But the other I saw something I hadn't seen before and could not explain. I was at work this last Thursday (Feb 22nd) and wlked into the controllers office to chat with him on my way out, and I glanced out his window as we were talking and interrupted with "What the ****!?"

There where three large "ring" clouds, each progressively larger than the previous, almost square as opposed to rings. They just sat there for a bit, while other clouds moved in and out of the area - it seems these ring clouds where at an incredibly high altitude due to this, but they didn't look that high.

My ex managed to snap a few pictures, and I see a bunch have popped up on the web. Apparently there was a local news piece on it, and at the time no one could offer a decent explanation as to what type of cloud it was and how it may have formed.

Humourous comments about of a backfiring jet, or God blowing smoke rings came out of some of the posts.

Here's a few of the images I found on the net ...

The large ring almost looks heart shaped ...



Here you can see the smallest / furthest ring being "developed"



Here is about probably an hour after the last posted image - just before they dissipated. Notice how there's plenty of cloud movement and development around these rings while they stayed in place -- making me thing they are at a much higher altitude than the rest of the clouds that day.



Here's one my ex took ...



Anyone have any idea what types of cloud this is and/or how it may have formed?

[Foxie Loxie]

Project Aurora? Thanks for posting the pictures...too amazing!!

[Valerie Villars]

I saw a similar phenomenon in the early, but dark evening sky not too long ago, but they were perfect X's. Two of them. This is going to sound odd, but they seemed to move in the sky depending on which side of the house I was viewing them from. In other words, they stayed or moved to the side I could see them from, no matter what.

Foxie, what is Project Aurora?

[Bill Ryan]

If you Google "ring-shaped clouds", you'll find some interesting articles, and a few images: but they appear to be very rare.

I did have some fun searching, though. Slightly off-topic (apologies!), but this remarkable formation, a particular kind of lenticular cloud, appears to have really occurred:

[DeDukshyn]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
I did have some fun searching, though. Slightly off-topic (apologies!), but this remarkable formation, a particular kind of ...

Actually Bill, let's turn this thread into one for any weird cloud formations that members want to share. Can you edit my title to "Weird Cloud Formations"? I'll edit my opening post a little.

[Noelle]

Right up my alley. I am an avid cloud watcher and have photographed some pretty amazing cloud phenomena, in my humble opinion. Here are two recent shots.

1. Image was taken on a cloudy, drizzly day. A little window in the overcast sky opened, revealing all these stringy clouds. I assume it's aerosol spraying, but I've never seen it look like that before. Reminded me of spider webs.

2. When I began watching this cloud, it looked like a partial heart (). Over the span of about 3 mins. -- and I am taking pictures of it as the time passes -- I watched it form into this face, with some pretty cool rays of light shooting through it.

* Not sure why the images are flipped that way in the post; but they are flipped right when the images are clicked on.

[ghostrider]

Haarp bck/scalar technology does strange things to nature ...

[Foxie Loxie]

Aurora.....from what I have learned, a secret project that would leave donut-like-shaped or ring like patterns of exhaust.

[The Moss Trooper]

Here's a couple I took last year, they are known as Volutus cloud formations. It was a very strange day, the light was eerie.


Attachment 37217

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And some others (not mine):

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[Valerie Villars]

Wow, some really beautiful, interesting formations. I need to fine tune my camera uploading ability. It's digital and I'm still don't know how to manipulate the images.

Thanks Foxie. I had never heard of that before.

[DeDukshyn]

 
Here's a couple more from my area (found on the web - I'll have to go through my personal photos - I have plenty I have taken that would go well on this thread) ...

One of those rolling "god's joint" type of clouds ...

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=i1rdWjrYG5I

This is a bit odd ... I think I remember seeing this as well ...





Here's what is known as a Chinook sunset - relatively common in my city- these are guaranteed a few times every year. A Chinook is a weather system that brings warm winds from the west that have riden up far above the BC plateau, then comes rushing back down on this side of the rocky mountains and into the great plains. This causes a dense thick cloud to develop but back in the plains from the rockies, so that an clear open strip is always to the west. The can last for several days with the cloud just hanging there. They can be responsible for extreme temperature changes of up to 40C within a short amount of time. (I believe the record in Alberta is from -20C to +20C in about an hour). Certain parts of Alaska also get these -- they call them "snow eaters" - as you can imagine, when one of these rolls in during the winter, most of the snow goes.

In this photo the clear strip to the west lets the sunset light through and reflects off the clouds. It can turn the entire city a very strong eerie orange pink - very surreal and almost disorienting.

[Foxie Loxie]

Just wondering if the "rolling clouds" have anything to do with the Nexrad stations? Also, aren't there mobile stations in the oceans? Just trying to tie together all the pieces I have read here!

[Noelle]

Posted by Foxie Loxie (here)
Just wondering if the "rolling clouds" have anything to do with the Nexrad stations? Also, aren't there mobile stations in the oceans? Just trying to tie together all the pieces I have read here!

According to WeatherWar101, there is a relationship. He demonstrates how NEXRAD could create these roll clouds in this 5-min. video.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=dgpqIaTDSVA

[uzn]

Hartwell over Hastings College

[Franny]

To me the OP clouds look like 'chem-trails'; the starting and ending points are the pointed end.

For all things clouds try The Cloud Appreciation Society

[Ewan]

Goodby cruel world!

[Nick Matkin]

Nothing sinister, bit I saw this with my own eyes in 2004 over Norfolk, UK:

[uzn]

some of my favorites:

[Sunny-side-up]

Bill as weird and wonderful as your image is I would still say it's natural.

uzn most of your images i do not believe to be natural and even quite scary 0.o

this one is an ill sky ha?

[uzn]

Posted by Sunny-side-up (here)
Bill as weird and wonderful as your image is I would still say it's natural.

uzn most of your images i do not believe to be natural and even quite scary 0.o

this one is an ill sky ha?

Believe what you want.


From DailyMail:


These are called altocumulus clouds.




Photographed by Craig Lindsay "Mammatus Clouds" under cc 30 license