post #1
02 August 2007, 23:46 UTC#1
External image not preserved — inspect source: http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1600/cloudsmd8.jpg
Rare clouds in the shape of jellyfish have caused a sensation after being spotted in British skies for the first time in a decade.
The unusual clouds known as Altocumulus Castellanus have a unique shape complete with tentacles and have not been seen in Britain for 10 years.
So weather-watchers were stunned when they developed in skies above Lutterworth, Leicestershire, and bobbed along the horizon at around 17,000 ft above ground.
Scroll down for more...
The "jellyfish" clouds appeared up to 17,000 ft above ground in Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Enlarge the image
Glinting in the evening sun, they certainly prove a stunning sight but like their namesakes, they signify danger up ahead.
And it will come as a disappointment to the sun-lovers banking on a scorching weekend because their presence indicates stormy weather may soon close in.
The rare clouds' unique "jellyfish" shape forms when a rush of moist air comes from the Gulf Stream and gets trapped between layers of dry air.
It is thought these probably developed as a result of recent tropical storms in the Atlantic.
The top of the cloud rises into a jellyfish shape and long tentacles known as "trailing virga" form from rain drops that have evaporated.
Mark Humpage, of the Tornado and Storm Research group, said it is the first time he has seen the clouds during his ten year career monitoring the weather.
He said: "They are a spectacular sight and look like bobbing jellyfish. In my ten years doing this, this is the first time I've ever seen these clouds. They are a very, very rare sight.
"There have been some tropical storms coming from the Atlantic which are now skirting the north-west of the British Isles via the gulf stream.
"So that may be where all this moisture has come from, and these clouds may well be signalling some stormy weather this weekend."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1770
Never seen owt like it before so thought I'd share. That and one of the guys is called Humpage.
QUOTE
Rare clouds in the shape of jellyfish have caused a sensation after being spotted in British skies for the first time in a decade.
The unusual clouds known as Altocumulus Castellanus have a unique shape complete with tentacles and have not been seen in Britain for 10 years.
So weather-watchers were stunned when they developed in skies above Lutterworth, Leicestershire, and bobbed along the horizon at around 17,000 ft above ground.
Scroll down for more...
The "jellyfish" clouds appeared up to 17,000 ft above ground in Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Enlarge the image
Glinting in the evening sun, they certainly prove a stunning sight but like their namesakes, they signify danger up ahead.
And it will come as a disappointment to the sun-lovers banking on a scorching weekend because their presence indicates stormy weather may soon close in.
The rare clouds' unique "jellyfish" shape forms when a rush of moist air comes from the Gulf Stream and gets trapped between layers of dry air.
It is thought these probably developed as a result of recent tropical storms in the Atlantic.
The top of the cloud rises into a jellyfish shape and long tentacles known as "trailing virga" form from rain drops that have evaporated.
Mark Humpage, of the Tornado and Storm Research group, said it is the first time he has seen the clouds during his ten year career monitoring the weather.
He said: "They are a spectacular sight and look like bobbing jellyfish. In my ten years doing this, this is the first time I've ever seen these clouds. They are a very, very rare sight.
"There have been some tropical storms coming from the Atlantic which are now skirting the north-west of the British Isles via the gulf stream.
"So that may be where all this moisture has come from, and these clouds may well be signalling some stormy weather this weekend."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1770
Never seen owt like it before so thought I'd share. That and one of the guys is called Humpage.
