Mammatus

By Ryan McGinnis

On 23 March 2008

Favorited 39 Times

Mammatus

Mammatus clouds look scary -- but, unlike the storms that produce them, they're harmless. Formed by sinking ice crystals in the base of a storm cloud, they don't seem like they belong on planet Earth. This was taken on a Kansas storm chase in May of 2006. In the distance, a supercell (which is a fancy word for a type of rotating thunderstorm) has been churning away in one place for the better part of an hour.

In the Storm Chaser photo essay.

6 Responses

  • Mojca S.

    On 23 March 2008 Mojca S. gave props:

    Wonderful!

  • Brian Holt

    On 23 March 2008 Brian Holt gave props:

    Beautiful and interesting!

  • On 25 March 2008 Nancy Charter Kechnie Goatbe said:

    How unusual.. Reading about your storm chaseing and seeing your photo,s is fascinateing.. great work!

  • blue mitchell

    On 25 March 2008 blue mitchell gave props:

    wow!

  • melanie scott

    On 27 March 2008 melanie scott gave props:

    this is unreal! i've never seen anything like it!

  • luca tenaglia

    On 28 March 2008 luca tenaglia said:

    impressive! (as all your other storm chasing shots!)
    never seen clouds like those!

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