Rare 'wave clouds' spotted over Calgary this weekend
DON'T MISS:
Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds, often called wave clouds, develop when two layers of air with different densities move at varying speeds. Cooler, slower-moving air below condenses to form a cloud layer, while warmer, faster-moving air above interacts with the cloud tops, creating a distinctive rolling, wave-like appearance.
Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds west of Calgary, Alberta! #abstorm #yyc pic.twitter.com/8LUP2UM8sm
— Braydon Morisseau (@BraydonMoreSo) July 7, 2025
These clouds are named after scientists Lord Kelvin and Hermann von Helmholtz, who studied the physical processes behind their formation.
They are relatively rare, requiring precise atmospheric conditions to develop.
SEE ALSO:
The best chance of spotting Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds is on windy days during sunrise or sunset. At these times, the lower cloud layers tend to be cooler, making the phenomenon more likely to occur.
Keep an eye out for these unique cloud patterns during dynamic weather conditions.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Braydon Morisseau
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