Cloud - The Art on the Sky

Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds live up to their name in this
picture from Jervis Bay, Australia. The breaking waveforms of
are the result of shearing winds up at cloud level.


Mammatus from Hamiota, Canada. These are pouch-like cloud structures
and a rare example of clouds in sinking air. They are usually
seen after the worst of a thunderstorm has passed.


A spectacular Cumulonimbus from Kansas City, Missouri. It is a
heaped rain cloud (nimbus means rain) and can extend 8miles across
and 8miles above the ground.


Altocumulus lacunosus at sunset from Worcester, UK. Meaning 'full
of holes' in Latin, the honey-comb effect can occur at any cloud
layer.


Noctilucent clouds are high atmosphere cloud formations thought to
be composed of small ice-coated particles. They form 51miles above
sea level. This one was spotted south of Iceland from an aircraft
flying at 41,000 feet.


Fallstreak holes like this captured in Florida, are large circular
gaps that can appear in cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds. The
holes are formed when the water temperature in the clouds is below
freezing but the water has not frozen yet.


A nice example of crepuscular rays over the west coast of Levkas,
Greece. The rays of sunlight that appear to radiate from a single
point in the sky. The name comes from their frequent occurrences
during crepuscular hours - those around dawn and dusk.


A banner or cap cloud above Mount Youtei (6230ft) seen from
Hirafu-Niseko, north island of Japan. It is a spectacular
form of stratus that can form on the peaks of large mountain
ranges.


Lenticularis clouds are lens-shaped clouds, with a smooth layered
appearance. They form over and downwind of mountain ridges whenever
there are strong upper-level winds. This one is by Mount Rainier,
Washington.

Original title: Head in the cloud
www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-24 10:08:47
Editor: An
Photos source: CCTV.com
My source: news.xinhuanet.com