Mammatus Clouds

Check out the mammatus clouds that we caught outside the station today! This pic was taken by Al Chaniewski, one of out photographers.

Mammatus clouds are rare and are often associated with severe weather. The name "mammatus" is derived from the Latin word "mamma", meaning breast. I’m pretty sure we can all agree that a man drew this comparison when naming the cloud. A lonely man.

These clouds often form under cumulonimbus or storm clouds. Although they are often associated with severe weather, mammatus clouds can be a sign of weakening storms. Rain and hail cool the air at cloud level. Cooler air is more dense and sinks, colliding with the warmer air below and forming pouch like cloud formations.  I see pouches...you see mammas. Agree to disagree?