Thunder wear!
So it seems that a new type of cloud has been discovered, for the first time since 1953. Named "Asperatus" after the Latin for 'rough', the clouds are thought to form in a similar way to storm clouds with a "choppy" effect, however a storm does not ensue.
The cloud was discovered by none other than Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the fantastic Cloud Appreciation Society. Pretor-Pinney said he noticed the cloud when trying to identify clouids in photographs sent in by fans. Realising that some of these did not fit into existing categories, he figured there must be a whole new one.
Research by The Royal Meteorological Society is now underway to try and understand the cause of Asperatus clouds, and will be classified in the same manner all clouds are classified internationally: where they are formed atmospherically, their appearance, their shape and the amount of moisture they hold.
P.S, just a thought how it is interesting that this discovery just so happens to tie in with Pretor-Pinney's new book....
