A New Cloud Type Is Recognized

Asperatus_cloud_01

It's called Asperatus. Here's the Wiki entry:

The clouds are most closely related to undulatus clouds. Although they appear dark and storm-like, they tend to dissipate without a storm forming. The ominous-looking clouds have been particularly common in the Plains states of the United States, often during the morning or midday hours following convective thunderstorm activity. As of June, 2009 the Royal Meteorological Society is gathering evidence of the type of weather patterns in which undulus asperatus clouds appear, so as to study how they form and decide whether they are distinct from other undulatus clouds.

One more pic after the jump:

Asperatus_cloud_07
2006-2011 archives for The Daily Dish, featuring Andrew Sullivan