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Years ago, we published a popular list of rare cloud formations. However, it was created when Mytour was in its early stages, lacking the vibrant images and polished layout that we can offer now. With five years having passed, it's the perfect moment to revisit this captivating topic and showcase these awe-inspiring clouds in all their glory. So, here they are – the rarest cloud formations, presented like never before.
10. Stratocumulus Clouds
Stratocumulus Clouds form as large blocks that often appear in waves or blobs, usually displaying a mix of light and dark patches. They can range from simple, mundane clouds to strikingly beautiful formations, particularly when they form into rolling waves. The most fascinating aspect of these clouds is their role in creating crepuscular rays, the beams of sunlight that seem to radiate from one spot across the sky, as well as the halo effect seen around the moon at night.
9. Pyrocumulus Clouds
In our earlier list, we covered mushroom clouds, which are created by atomic explosions. However, these clouds are actually a type of pyrocumulus cloud, also known as fire clouds. Therefore, it makes sense to include this entire category here. Pyrocumulus clouds are formed by intense heat rising from the Earth's surface, whether from a bomb blast or a wildfire. They often take on a greyish hue due to the smoke and ash that accompany their creation.
8. Polar Stratospheric Clouds
These stunning clouds form high in the polar stratosphere. Their extreme altitude allows them to reflect light from below the horizon, producing dazzling color displays. Known as nacreous clouds, derived from the word 'nacre' meaning mother-of-pearl, their beauty is easily understood. These clouds are exceptionally rare because the stratosphere is usually very dry, preventing the formation of clouds in general.
7. Jellyfish Clouds
Also referred to as virga, these clouds feature tendrils that hang down, resembling a jellyfish in the ocean. This effect occurs when water or ice falls from the clouds but evaporates before reaching the ground. Jellyfish clouds often serve as seed clouds for rainstorms. While rare in most parts of the world, they are more common in desert regions and on prairies.
6. Noctilucent Clouds
Unlike the similar Polar Stratospheric clouds, noctilucent clouds (or polar mesospheric clouds) are found in the polar mesosphere. These clouds are visible only when the sun is below the horizon, and they are made entirely of ice. Rather than displaying rainbow colors, they typically shimmer like crystal due to the high concentration of ice. Both noctilucent and polar stratospheric clouds demonstrate how something as simple as a cloud can be truly spectacular based solely on its position in the sky.
5. Lenticular Clouds
Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped formations that appear high in the atmosphere. Their distinct shape often leads people to mistake them for UFOs, especially when they vanish quickly. They create dramatic displays when they form over mountaintops, giving the illusion of a halo. These clouds typically form at right angles to the prevailing wind direction. NOTE: The main photo above appears to be photoshopped, but the other images are authentic.
4. Roll Clouds
Roll clouds, also known as Arcus clouds, are some of the most intimidating clouds to encounter. Luckily, if you’re interested in witnessing one, you can – they form quite often in Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria. Despite their regular appearance in this region, the exact process behind their formation remains a mystery.
3. Mammatus Clouds
Resembling something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, these clouds are named after their distinctive shape, which looks like breasts. Large, bulbous, hanging masses dangle from the main body of the cloud, giving it a unique appearance. What’s most fascinating is that mammatus clouds often form just before severe weather strikes, making them an excellent natural warning sign. They can stretch for miles and last up to fifteen minutes. While the cause of these clouds is still unknown, there are several theories about their formation.
2. Kelvin-Helmholtz Clouds
These clouds are incredibly rare and, when they do appear, they usually only last for a few minutes. They form due to a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, a phenomenon where there’s a velocity shear over a continuous fluid (it’s a bit complex!). Interestingly, this same effect causes the ripples observed in the atmosphere of Saturn. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most stunning cloud formations to behold.
1. Shelf Clouds
Shelf clouds differ from roll clouds in that they are attached to a much larger parent cloud. However, like roll clouds, they also belong to the arcus cloud category. Shelf clouds are often massive and typically signal the approach of a significant storm, unlike roll clouds, which do not usually indicate severe weather. Although shelf clouds may resemble a wall cloud (which forms after a storm), they typically have a jagged bottom edge.
