Rare 'wave clouds' spotted over Calgary this weekend
Have you ever seen wave clouds like these?
Sky-watchers were treated to a unique sight on Sunday evening as rare clouds developed west of Calgary, Alberta.
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Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds, often called wave clouds, develop when two layers of air with different densities move at varying speeds. Cooler, slower-moving air below condenses to form a cloud layer, while warmer, faster-moving air above interacts with the cloud tops, creating a distinctive rolling, wave-like appearance.
These clouds are named after scientists Lord Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz, who studied the physical processes behind their formation.
They are relatively rare, requiring precise atmospheric conditions to develop.
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The best chance of spotting Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds is on windy days during sunrise or sunset. At these times, the lower cloud layers tend to be cooler, making the phenomenon more likely to occur.
Keep an eye out for these unique cloud patterns during dynamic weather conditions.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Braydon Morisseau