Interesting cloud formations spotted in parts of the Miami Valley on Wednesday. These clouds, that look like ocean waves are actually called, Kelvin-Helmholtz waves or clouds also known as ‘billow clouds’. The formation is named after the two scientist who discovered them.
These are formed when clouds interact with a stable layer of air in the atmosphere. Within the cloud layer, there is wind shear, or a change of wind speed and direction with height.
For these clouds to develop the winds are moving faster at the top of the cloud layer than at the base, if they hit a stable layer in the atmosphere it will in essence halt the upward movement and the cloud will begin to curl or crash like a wave.
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