Kelvin Helmholtz waves commonly noticed during windy conditions due to certain changes in the atmosphere and signaling wind turbulence
The exceptional changes usually occur when there is a velocity shear. The more dense air will be below the light dense air and is not heated by the sun. Then the boundary layer air will be the coldest and appear in the form of ocean waves in the clouds
Also known as billow cloud, they look like rolling ocean waves in the sky and was named in the honor of two great scientists Lord Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz who did a lot of contributions in physics
The science behind the phenomenon is utterly fascinating and only a few were fortunate enough to capture the curious group of clouds over Smith Mountains in Virginia
A Virginia woman, Amy Hunter has captured the attention of millions of readers with her amazing photographs of Kelvin Helmholtz clouds that rolled over the Smith Mountains of Virginia.
Ms. Hunter was very lucky to notice the beautiful cloud formation. It is an extremely rare phenomenon that occurs due to the changes in the atmospheric conditions and wind turbulence.
The rare and mesmerizing formation known as Kelvin Helmholtz clouds is formed when different layers in the atmosphere travel at different velocity typically referred to as shear.
When the higher dense layer travels faster than a lower dense layer, it scoops and appears like wave formation. At this time, the boundary layer of air will be very cold. You could have noticed that when the wind blows above the water level, you can realize the wave formation.
The phenomenon is named as Kelvin Helmholtz after the two great meteorologists, Lord Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz who conducted studies on cloud formations.
Although this is a mesmerizing sight yet this cloud formation can result in greater wind turbulence for aircraft.
Many viewers have expressed that this fascinating clouds resembled Van Gogh’s starry night painting.
Ray Petelin, KDKA meteorologist elucidates the cloud formation as Kelvin Helmholtz clouds.
He added, that it is an extremely rare phenomenon stimulated by velocity shear of the clouds.
Although this cloud formation is occasional and uncommon, it can happen during stormy weather.
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