Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Mind-Blowing Cloud Formations You Probably Haven’t Seen Before
7.8K

Mind-Blowing Cloud Formations You Probably Haven’t Seen Before

ADVERTISEMENT

Various cloud formations might be one of the most beautiful and romantic sights in nature. Still, these masses of liquid droplets is also a complex and scientifically interesting natural phenomenon. The interesting fact is that regardless of the shape and the looks of the cloud, they’re all made of the same thing – condensed water or ice. When the sun heats the ground, warm air starts to evaporate and rise towards the sky. Once these water vapor particles cluster together, a cloud is formed. If it is being joined by more water crystals and keeps growing, it will eventually reach us on the ground as rain or snow. Otherwise, the clouds simply evaporate into thin air.

Even though all the beautiful cloud formations might seem random and indescribable to you, there’s a whole cloud classification system that’s uniform worldwide. Luke Howard, British manufacturing chemist and an amateur meteorologist, was the first to introduce a nomenclature system for clouds back in 1802. Today clouds are categorized based on their shape, altitude, the process of formation, and other features.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a meteorologist or a science fan to appreciate the beauty of a cloudy sky. Here’s a selection of some stunning cloud photos – we bet that among them you’ll find some weir cloud formations that you’ve never actually seen before!

Inspired by: twistedsifter.com

RELATED:

    Mammatus Clouds

    Image credits: HeavyLight.ca

    Image credits: Ken Lewis –

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Vincent Fryhover

    Lenticular Clouds

    Image credits: Brian Middleton

    Image credits: Jean-Michel Priaux

    Image credits: Dementievskiy Ivan

    Undulatus Asperatus

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: JΩSH

    Image credits: wittap

    Image credits: JΩSH

    Fallstreak Hole

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: ladigue_99

    Image credits: mtnrockdhh

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: lookseenseen

    Polar Stratospheric Cloud

    Image credits: Alan R. Light

    Image credits: FotoLind

    Image credits: FotoLind

    Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz

    Image credits: drdouglascordeiro.blogspot.com

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: drdouglascordeiro.blogspot.com

    Image credits: pfjc&pfjc2

    Roll Clouds

    Image credits: Kick Petroff

    Image credits: apod.nasa.gov

    Anvil Clouds

    Image credits: Nicholas_T

    Image credits: hide

    Image credits: *Lampy*

    Also, check out Smeared Sky Photography by Matt Molloy

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Mind-Blowing Cloud Formations You Probably Haven't Seen Before

    Share on Facebook
    Lina D.

    Lina D.

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Read less »
    Lina D.

    Lina D.

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Piper Maulin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The " Roll Clouds " are called " Morning Glory ". Not tryin to be rude, but get it right.

    Bahjat T. Hammad
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" The Holy Quran, chapter: Fussilat. Verse: 53

    Load More Comments
    Piper Maulin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The " Roll Clouds " are called " Morning Glory ". Not tryin to be rude, but get it right.

    Bahjat T. Hammad
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" The Holy Quran, chapter: Fussilat. Verse: 53

    Load More Comments
    Related on Bored Panda
    Related on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda