What are Mammatus clouds?

Feb. 13, 2023

Recently, NASA’s astronomer explained the formation of the Mammatus clouds

About Mammatus clouds:

  • Mammatus clouds refer to distinctive cloud formations that are separated by a bulge or protrusion emerging from the base of another cloud.
  • They are usually formed in association with large cumulonimbus clouds.
  • Typically, turbulence within the cumulonimbus cloud will cause Mammatus to form, especially on the underside of the projecting anvil as it rapidly descends to lower levels.
  • Mammatus clouds generally form in the most unstable cumulonimbus, meaning that there is also a chance of hail, heavy rain and lightning in the vicinity, and if the air is cold enough during winter they can produce snow.