Rare Cloud Formations

n unusual cloud formation rolled over the Statesboro area Monday morning, prompting a social media buzz as users posted photos, questions and comments about it.
The odd cloud formations, unofficially named "undulatus asperatus," seemed to roll, wave or undulate across the sky around 10:15 a.m. In fact, the Cloud Appreciation Society hopes undulatus asperatus will become the newest cloud classification - the first in 50 years.
"This is the second time in two weeks that we have seen these clouds," said Carl Burns, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Charleston office. "They are rare, not something we deal with a lot."
Undulatus asperatus clouds usually signify a stable weather pattern that is disturbed by something, and the clouds do not mean rain or rough weather is on the way, although they appear ominous and disturbing, he said.
According to meteorologynews.com, "Turbulent motions between differing air masses create undulating clouds." They are more common in the Plains states and "are not considered a precursor to severe weather."
The strange cloud formation only recently has been under consideration as a new, scientific classification of cloud. Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, has campaigned to get the cloud recognized as an official formation for years, and cloud enthusiasts have been appealing to the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva for scientific recognition, according to slate.com.
If the Cloud Appreciation Society is successful, undulatus asperatus will be the first new cloud formation to be recognized since 1951, when "cirrus intortus" necessitated a reprint of the International Cloud Atlas.
As Statesboro saw Monday morning, undulatus asperatus clouds have a rough underside that resembles a choppy sea when viewed from underwater, which is why the Latin name translates, approximately, to "roughened or agitated waves." It makes for a dramatic, turbulent skyscape that seems to herald nasty weather but usually dissipates without any storms.
According to weather.com, the clouds "occur when enough atmospheric instability, or rising air, is available to create widespread cloud cover, as well as wind shear and turbulence, which creates the wavy, rough sea-like visual effect."
"There were showers and thunderstorms approaching the area from the west at the time," according to accuweather.com meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "The air was dry near the ground but was increasingly moist aloft as the storms and rain approached."
The cloud formations were seen over Georgia and South Carolina Monday morning. Bulloch County Public Safety Director Ted Wynn captured images of the clouds around 10:15 a.m. as they swept across Statesboro's sky, as did many other residents, fascinated by the unusual sight.
"They are fairly rare ... and seldom are seen in our neck of the woods," said Savannah meteorologist Lee Haywood.

 http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/66803/