Beautiful "asperatus" clouds above Western Washington

A combination of strong wind aloft over weaker wind near the ground helped to form some photogenic

asperatus

clouds on Wednesday afternoon.%

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When there are strong winds aloft flowing over our Western Washington terrain, the flow of the air can be forced upward temporarily into a wave -- much like how ripples form when a pebble is tossed into a stream.  These "gravity waves" can persist downstream (as the air flows) for quite a distance.

That air flow causes the clouds to have a wave-like appearance.

Related to our lenticular, or "cap clouds"

Our famous lenticular, or "cap clouds" over Mount Rainier and some of our volcanoes is a similar phenomenon that occurs when the mountains force moist air to rise, forming a cloud. %

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Just another example of how our weather and our varied terrain can produce beauty, even on a gloomy day!

Cox Media Group