Strange Clouds!

[Jim Ford]

Saw these in Kent on the 20th May 2009:



Ideas as to how they're formed, anyone?

Jim

[Fauna]

Hi Jim, i think this is called Virga. Someone else may be able explain how it's formed.

[jerryh]

Fantastic - giant jellyfish

[LynM]

Fantastic pics, Jim. Not too sure about the formation, but would guess that the wispy bits underneath are being caused by very strong winds at the height of formation.

Hopefully someone more informed than me will come along to help.

[wildherbalian85]

The clouds are Altocumulus clouds and as has already been mentioned the wispy stuff is virga. THere was loads of these about down towards my way a few days ago... also reports of it been seen towards the north of the county to.

[ron1863]

Cloud Formation:
All air contains water, but near the ground it is usually in the form of an invisible gas called water vapor. When warm air rises, it expands and cools. Cool air can't hold as much water vapor as warm air, so some of the vapor condenses onto tiny pieces of dust that are floating in the air and forms a tiny droplet around each dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together they become a visible cloud.
Altocumulus clouds are mid level clouds that are made of water droplets and appear as gray puffy masses. They usually form in groups. If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm, sticky morning, be prepared to see thunderstorms late in the afternoon.

Googled

[nytecam]

Fantastic cloud pic Jim - well spotted