Buzz
Following Cedestra's impressive compilation of 20 extraordinary and rare weather events, I’ve put together a list of 10 more intriguing occurrences. The atmosphere frequently presents a variety of bizarre and captivating spectacles, though many of these stunning phenomena are infrequent and occur in diverse locations worldwide (cue the clichéd 'once in a blue moon' remark). Let’s jump right into the list!
10. Formation of Lunar Coronas
Kicking off the list is a personal favorite of mine, the Lunar Corona formation, a truly mesmerizing phenomenon. This effect is created when thin clouds and tiny water droplets in the atmosphere scatter the moon’s light, producing a multicolored halo around the moon. Fascinatingly, the size of the corona depends on the droplet size, with smaller droplets resulting in larger halos.
9. Fogbows
Fogbows are known by many names; sailors refer to them as sea dogs, aviators call them cloudbows, and others describe them as white rainbows due to their pale appearance (though they occasionally display hints of red and blue). Similar to traditional rainbows, fogbows form when light diffracts through water droplets. However, fogbows are produced by extremely tiny droplets, resulting in the unique effect shown above.
8. Triple Sunrise Illusion
This illusion features three suns positioned side by side, though it’s somewhat challenging to discern. The exact cause of this double mirage-like phenomenon remains unclear, with theories ranging from standard reflections and atmospheric lensing to other entirely different factors. Most people would likely miss this illusion due to its subtlety and the difficulty of spotting it from a distance, as one would naturally view it.
7. Anticrepuscular Rays
Often referred to as god rays, these sunbeams appear in a unique formation. They occur during sunrise or sunset when the sun projects rays upward from the horizon through strategically positioned clouds. If you find this phenomenon fascinating, be sure to explore its counterpart, crepuscular rays, which share a strikingly similar appearance.
6. Morning Glory Clouds
These uncommon cloud formations are found at low altitudes, typically between 100-200 meters, and can only be reliably predicted in one specific location globally, though they may appear in various regions worldwide. Classified as a type of roll cloud, they share many characteristics but often form in rows, and their exact formation process remains a mystery. Some theories suggest they develop in areas of high humidity, but the precise conditions that trigger their formation are still uncertain.
5. Lenticular Clouds
Aliens! Well, not really, but the peculiar shape of these clouds is sure to catch your attention. While they don’t always resemble the flying saucers from 1950s sci-fi films, they can appear as stacked lenses, a single large lens, or even an elongated cloud. Lenticular clouds form when moist air rises, encounters a mountain or similar obstruction, and then descends, causing the moisture to condense into a cloud. Once the moisture evaporates, it leaves behind the distinctive lens-shaped formation seen in the image above.
4. Gravity Waves
These clouds are called waves because they resemble ocean waves, particularly when seen in motion (as shown in the timelapse above). Their formation begins with a trigger, such as a thunderstorm updraft, causing air to rise into stable layers and then sink back down, creating an up-and-down motion akin to waves. This momentum shapes the clouds into wave-like patterns. Another fascinating perspective of gravity waves can be observed from above, where they appear as rows of clouds.
3. Roll Clouds
A personal favorite, roll clouds can stretch hundreds of kilometers and, true to their name, appear to roll. This rolling motion is caused by cold air surging from a storm front’s downdraft, lifting warm air that cools and forms these unique clouds. To see this phenomenon in action, the video above provides a stunning demonstration—watch it and prepare to be amazed.
2. Kelvin Helmholtz Cloud Formations
Interestingly, those whimsical cloud shapes you likely doodled as a child might have been more accurate than you imagined. This formation is exceptionally rare and somewhat surreal. These clouds are seldom observed because they don’t maintain their shape for long and occur infrequently. They form due to shearing winds at cloud level, creating their distinctive appearance.
1. Multiple Fogbows
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?! It signifies an optical illusion, but the illusion dissipates upon closer inspection. The image depicts a series of fogbows, formed by sunlight scattering off a cloud below the mountain peak where the photo was taken. Known as ‘supernumerary arcs,’ these phenomena have only recently been understood and can also appear in regular rainbows (someone should inform the double rainbow guy!).
