Incredible storm clouds are not an uncommon sight, but the ones Theresa Lucas captured in Minnesota were truly mind-bending. Lucas was driving towards the town of Bemidji when she snapped a photo to show her daughter how far she had driven. Little did she know that the picture would cause a sensation online.
The storm clouds appeared like ocean waves crashing down into the sky. At first glance, the photo could easily be mistaken for a seascape rather than a snapshot of the sky. However, upon closer inspection, a highway can be seen below. What type of clouds were these, exactly? As it turns out, they were asperitus clouds, a cloud formation that was only recently recognized by the World Meteorological Organization in 2017.
According to the International Cloud Atlas, asperitus clouds are well-defined, wave-like structures in the underside of clouds. They are more chaotic and less horizontally organized than undulatus clouds. Asperitas is characterized by localized waves in the cloud base, which can be smooth or dappled with smaller features. Sometimes, they descend into sharp points, giving the appearance of viewing a roughened sea surface from below. Varying levels of illumination and thickness can lead to dramatic visual effects.
The photograph gained widespread attention online when it was shared by the local TV station WCCO-TV on Facebook and Twitter. People were amazed and couldn’t stop commenting on the stunning image.
Moreover, the photograph got everyone talking about the sky’s beauty in Minnesota. People began posting their own cloud photos from the area, depicting how clouds can look like mountains, valleys, and much more. For Lucas, all the attention was unexpected. What began as a way to show her daughter how far she had driven turned into something much bigger. Lucas entered the image into the Minnesota State Fair, hoping it would receive the recognition it deserved.
Hi, is there any way to get this photo as a file? Or any way to contact Theresa Lucas?
I’d love to print this and hang it on my wall. <3
Absolutely amazing, could be a scene from Inception!
Best regards
Brian
Could I reference this photo for a painting? Credit noted for the photographer.
Can I reference this photo for a painting? It’s quite incredible. I’d note credit to the photographer.
I think the correct term is “asperatus” which means enraged.