Everyday skies · variety
Undulatus clouds
The atmosphere has rhythm
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/wea03011.htm
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Swipe or scroll sideways to explore the photographs. Photos may include other cloud types; names and credits come from their source records.
Spot it
Regular waves, bands or ripples in a cloud layer.
How it forms
Air motions organize a layer into repeated undulations.
Read the sky
The waves reveal structure and motion, not a standalone rain forecast.
Where to look
Look in cloud sheets affected by wave motion.
Little sky facts
Reveal fact 1
Undulatus is a cloud variety.
Reveal fact 2
More than one cloud genus can show it.
Reveal fact 3
One or two wave directions can be visible.
Reveal fact 4
Its orderly waves differ from the rougher underside of asperitas.
Try this
Follow the rhythm of three neighboring bands.
Draw your own cloud ↗Read a little deeper
Conditions described here are places to look, not a global frequency ranking. Use local weather forecasts and warnings for decisions. Never look directly at the Sun.