We’ve seen some spectacular storm clouds, but none like this. Theresa Lucas was travelling toward the Minnesota town of Bemidji when she took a snapshot to show her daughter how far away she was. She had no idea her snap photograph would spark such a stir. This is due to the fact that she not only recorded her position, but also some beautiful storm clouds that create a mind-bending illusion.
The stunning storm system resembles ocean waves slamming into the sky. In fact, when you initially scroll down, you could assume you’re gazing at a snapshot of the ocean, only to learn that it’s actually a motorway. So, what kind of clouds are we seeing? They look to be an asperitus cloud formation, which was just recognized by the World Meteorological Organization in 2017.
Asperitus clouds, according to the International Cloud Atlas, are “well-defined, wave-like formations on the cloud’s underside; more chaotic and with less horizontal order than the variant undulatus.” Asperitas is distinguished by localized waves in the cloud base that are either smooth or mottled with smaller characteristics, occasionally falling into sharp peaks, as if viewed from below on a roughened sea surface. Varying levels of light and cloud thickness may produce spectacular visual effects.”
The shot went viral after it was shared by local television station WCCO-TV on Facebook and Twitter, where people couldn’t stop commenting on what they were seeing.
The shot, maybe most importantly, got everyone talking about how lovely the sky is in Minnesota. People began submitting their own cloud images from the region, demonstrating how they may resemble mountains, valleys, and other features. All of the attention has been a nice surprise for Lucas. What began as a method to inform her daughter when she had returned home has evolved into much more. She has now put the photograph into the Minnesota State Fair, where she hopes it will win an award.
Theresa Lucas was traveling in Minnesota when she took a snapshot of an amazing cloud formation.
Some people couldn’t get over how much the clouds looked like waves crashing down.
Others shared their own incredible photos of Minnestoa’s cloud formations.
h/t: [Reddit]
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