Astounding Wave Clouds Amaze US Sky-Watchers In Wyoming

Astounding wave clouds amaze US sky-watchers in Wyoming. Skywatchers in the US state of Wyoming were taken aback when they saw an unusual cloud formation crashing across the horizon like ocean surf.

"This was special and I immediately knew I needed to capture it,"said Rachel Gordon, a local.

Rare Clouds In The Sky In Wyoming

Astounding wave clouds amaze US sky-watchers in Wyoming. The billowy phenomenon was observed on Tuesday (Dec 6) from Sheridan above the crest of the Bighorn Mountains.

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability occurs when a faster stream of air moves above rising air below. It is also referred to as "flutter clouds."

Ms. Gordon, who said she snapped the photos from her parents' back door before sharing them on the Facebook page, said:

According to Matt Taylor of BBCWeather, the images are one of the most spectacular and dramatic examples of Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds he has ever seen.

The cloud formation is named after physicists Lord Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz, who investigated the physics behind it. They are also known as "fluctus clouds" and are thought to have inspired Van Gogh's masterpiece Starry Night.

Kelvin-Helmholtz AKA Wave Clouds

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds are one of the most interesting and unusual kinds of clouds. They look like rolling ocean waves that are evenly spaced. This happens due to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is a sporadic but ubiquitous occurrence in the atmosphere. Because it is normally undetectable, it can be as harmful as clear air turbulence.

When the humidity is such that rising air in a vortex leads to condensation as a cloud and falling air leads to evaporation, it can be detected by radar or spotted by chance as billow clouds.

They happen when two layers of air in the atmosphere move at different speeds (a phenomenon known as shear). When the upper layer of air moves faster than the lower layer of air, it can scoop the top of an existing cloud layer into wave-like rolling formations.

Kelvin Helmholtz's instability is a scientific phenomenon that is not limited to clouds. It can happen anywhere there is a velocity difference between two fluids at the point of contact. Wind blowing over water is the most obvious example of how fast-moving air can cause waves on slower-moving water.

VIDEO: Explaining Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves

People Also Ask

When Were Kelvin-Helmholtz Clouds Discovered?

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds were discovered in the mid-1800s.

What Are The Requirements For Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves?

Visualizing the waves in the sky requires the presence of clouds. So it's necessary to have saturated air near the top of the colder, denser air.

What Do Kelvin-Helmholtz Clouds Look Like?

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds have an oceanic appearance similar to crashing waves.

Conclusion

Astounding wave clouds amaze US sky-watchers in Wyoming. A cloud generates a billowing wave pattern, which is a very rare occurrence.

They arise when there is significant vertical shear between two air streams, making winds blow faster at higher elevations than at lower levels.

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