What makes clouds ripple

One reason for wave patterns in clouds is when they form in a stable layer , that is a thin layer of the atmosphere where the temperature doesn't decrease very much with height, or even increases with height. Any disturbance in this layer can cause waves of air to move along it, like water waves in a pond.

If the layer happens to be humid enough, then where the air is flowing up a crest of the wave, a cloud forms, and where it is flowing down the crest, the cloud evaporates. This leads to the wave structures, as are pictured above. Another way that wave clouds can form is where air flows over a mountain or hill. Generally, air flows along a horizontal path, but sometimes imbalances occurs in the density of the air causing it to oscillate up and down as it moves along.

And in striped cloud patterns, the air flows perpendicular to the cloud lines. In circumstances such as when the air is very moist, a full ripple clouds with no clear shy slots in between can be witnessed, and on the other hand, when the air is too dry, there will be no clouds at all.

But in all cases, the air moves in a wavelike pattern. See some random photos shared by Facebook users being active on our Facebook page. Any disturbance from the surface can cause waves. From far away, they look like huge mountains or towers.

Weather prediction: Look out for rain, hail, and tornadoes! Stratocumulus clouds are patchy gray or white clouds that often have a dark honeycomb-like appearance. Weather prediction: Fair weather for now, but a storm might be on its way. Contrails are made by high-flying jet airplanes. They are still clouds, though, because they are made of water droplets condensed from the water vapor in the exhaust of the jet engines. Weather prediction: Contrails can provide information about the layers of moisture in the sky.

Mammatus clouds are actually altocumulus, cirrus, cumulonimbus, or other types of clouds that have these pouch-like shapes hanging out of the bottom. The pouches are created when cold air within the cloud sinks down toward the Earth. Weather prediction: Severe weather might be on its way! Orographic clouds get their shape from mountains or hills that force the air to move over or around them. They can also be formed by sea breezes and often appear as lines where two air masses meet.

Weather prediction: An early sign that the conditions might be right to form afternoon thunderstorms! Lenticular clouds Lenticular clouds are shaped like lenses or almonds or They may get their shape from hilly terrain or just the way the air is rising over flat terrain.

Weather prediction: None! Scientists have found that rapid growth and cooling at the tops of clouds are indicators of the potential for severe weather.

The ABI can show more detailed changes in cloud-top features, helping scientists assess the potential size and severity of a storm even before it reaches its peak! Cirrus Cirrus clouds are delicate, feathery clouds that are made mostly of ice crystals.