Tag Archives: Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds

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Ahead of our last storm, Carol Bogovich noticed these unusual clouds in the sky - Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds or billows.

Kelvin-Helmholtz Clouds by Carol Bogovich

These clouds are indicators of atmospheric instability. Aviators have learned to avoid them because of the turbulence. They look like waves or sails in the sky.

Today the Pacific Ocean has big swells coming in, and abalone divers are warned not to go diving. As tomorrow is the last day of abalone diving, some might feel they should take the risk. They shouldn't!

Thanks to Carol for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Roberta wrote, “I saw these interesting clouds off the Bluff Trail near Salal Beach [on The Sea Ranch]. I just found out from a fascinating TED talk by Gavin Pretor-Pinney that they’re Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds.”

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds are also called billow clouds. Park Aide Roberta saw some from the Salal Trail on The Sea Ranch.

Roberta learned more about these clouds from a TED talk by Gavin Pretor-Pinney. Here's the link to that talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/gavin_pretor_pinney_cloudy_with_a_chance_of_joy.html

I sent this photo to Ken Holmes and he wrote, "It is produced as the speaker, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, explains by wind shear (or varying speed) that flows within and above these stable-type clouds."

Thanks to Roberta for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Cloud watching is a Coast tradition!