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

Mammatus Clouds

Image credits: HeavyLight.ca

Image credits: Ken Lewis –

Image credits: Vincent Fryhover

Lenticular Clouds

Image credits: Brian Middleton

Image credits: Jean-Michel Priaux

Image credits: Dementievskiy Ivan

Undulatus Asperatus

Image credits: JΩSH

Image credits: wittap

Image credits: JΩSH

Fallstreak Hole

Image credits: ladigue_99

Image credits: mtnrockdhh

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

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

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