Kate Green, Rare Surreal Undulatus Asperitas Clouds (January theme: Weather)

Undulatus Asperitas clouds were the first clouds officially added in 2015 to the World Meteorological Organization classification of clouds in more than 50 years. They are characterized by localized waves in the cloud base, either smooth or dappled with smaller features, sometimes descending into sharp points, as if viewing a roughened sea surface from below. These clouds are so rare and thus it is theorized that the clouds are caused by “pockets” of air rising and sinking in the atmosphere, combined with winds shifting direction quickly, known as wind shear. This image is one of a series of images that I took from my front yard in Ringwood East, Victoria. I haven't witnessed them again.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.