Waves in the Sky

Last night, while I was trying to figure out why my internet connection died (thanks Time-Warner), I noticed a bright white cloud to the south.  Usually nighttime clouds are a jaundiced yellow, not bright white.  It was also a standing cloud.  Instead of moving with the wind it was staying put, forming on the right side and dying on the left.  Bright white standing clouds aren't that common so I took a few long-exposure pictures.  To add to the unusualness, I got lucky and captured a semi-rare cloud formation known as a Kelvin-Helmholtz cloud. 

You can see the waves on the right in the bottom photo (which is a blow up of the middle picture).  Usually these clouds form downwind of a mountain range.  Last night they would have been forming between the denser dry air near the ground and warm, humid air above.  Interesting!

Comments

[Marie]

That is amazing. And, your knowledge of Kelvin-Helmholtz is quite impressive. This has been one strange July as far as weather goes.

[harlemfur]

Ah, my Time Warner was down too. Somehow, I am comforted knowing it was not just my building.

Great photos!

[Joe]

Thanks! Every once in a while I remember something from school. You folks in Springfield have had more than your share of the odd weather lately.