Rapidly changing weather brought different cloud types (photos) ~ Meteorology

Rapidly changing weather brought different cloud types presents photos with Cumulus, Stratus, Cirrocumulus, and Cumulonimbus clouds. It happened on a day where the weather was very active and where different cloud types came in and/or manifested above.

All photos in this article were photographed in Denmark on June 29, 2010. The Rapidly changing weather happened above Odense city inside a relatively short time span of 1 hour and 46 minutes.

The Cumulus cloud type

The cloud photo above was taken at 04.08 pm local time and shows Cumulus clouds and the Sun hiding behind them. Sunlight is seen penetrating the cloud system and rays of sunlight are coming through. The Cumulus cloud type is one of the lowest clouds in the atmosphere that stays under 6.000 feet. See other examples of Cumulus clouds here

The mighty Cumulonimbus cloud system

The mighty Cumulonimbus cloud type, or weather system, forms near the ground and can “explode” to an altitude of about 50.000 feet. Thunder often accompany this cloud type and you may expect precipitation from these. The rapidly changing weather may have been related to the Cumulonimbus weather system north-east from our position.

The Cumulonimbus cloud photo above was taken at ‏‎05.24 pm local time. See other examples of Cumulonimbus clouds here

The Nimbostratus cloud type

The Nimbostratus cloud type, which according to weatheronline.co.uk is a rain cloud is one of the cloud types that are below 6.500 feet. In the photo below, in the foreground just above the trees, there are some dark tufts that seem to deliver precipitation. If they are Nimbostratus I don´t know, but these are rain clouds.

The Nimbostratus cloud photos above were taken at 05.53 pm local time. See other examples of Nimbostratus clouds here

The Cirrocumulus cloud type

The Cirrocumulus cloud type is known for its sophisticated wave-like patterns and very small puffs. They can look very beautiful in a unique way. This weather system is above 16.000 feet and can go to 30-40.000 feet where contrails also are located.

The Cirrocumulus cloud photos above were also taken at 05.53 pm local time. See other examples of Cirrocumulus clouds here

The Cirrus cloud type

The last cloud type is a little mystery to me. Since I am no meteorologists or weather expert, I am in doubt about this one. I think it is the beginning of a Cirrus cloud system but I am not sure. It looks to me like it is about to create the strokes with a hook in the end. Cirrus clouds are high altitude clouds above 16.000 feet and they form when water in the atmosphere is at temperatures below freezing. The Cirrus cloud I refer to is the whitish elongated cloud section that stands out in the middle in below photo.

The Cirrus cloud photo above was taken at 05.54 pm local time. See other examples of Cirrus clouds here

Rapidly changing weather brought different cloud types

The weather that was rapidly changing that day brought a nice potpourri of different cloud types inside a relatively short timeframe. You have seen Cumulus, Cumulonimbus, Nimbostratus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrus clouds. There are probably other types of clouds in the pictures I did not mention here.

White clouds are just beautiful with the blue sky as background. If you want to shoot some cool cloud photos, days with rapidly changing weather, high wind speeds and a blue sky behind is the best setup. You could be lucky to capture an unknown sky phenomenon or experience a cloud manifestation. Who knows, you could be lucky to shoot some UFO pictures too.!?

For more info about weather and cloud types see the NWS chart or the UCAR illustration

Rapidly changing weather photo gallery

See the weather history for Denmark (Vojens-Skrydstrup Air Base) on June 29, 2010

Camera used: Sony A-100 DSLR with a standard 18-75mm zoom lens

Rapidly changing weather brought different cloud types (photos)