Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    What's that cloud? Rare wave clouds seen in Hampshire

16:00
26 February 2023

What's that cloud?
Rare wave clouds seen in Hampshire

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds
These rare wavy Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds were spotted in Hampshire earlier this week. - © Sue Davies

Appearing as waves in the sky, these rare clouds were spotted by a user in Hampshire earlier this month. Let's look at what makes them special.

Known as Kelvin-Helmholtz wave Clouds, these types of cloud only last for a few minutes before dissipating without a trace, which is exactly what user Sue Davies reported suggesting that the waves had lost their shape entirely shortly after the picture was taken.

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds appear when the air is very unstable. They form when faster-moving, warm air flows over slower-moving, colder and denser air.

If the speed at which the warm air travels over the colder air is fast enough, the undulating wave-like formation in the cloud appears.

These types of clouds can form anywhere that that the right conditions appear, just be quick with the camera to catch them before they vanish!

If you have spotted any odd or interesting clouds recently please send them in for us to take a look at next week! Use our uploader or send them direct through the app by tapping the camera icon.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Noctilucent clouds spotted over the UK. Shimmering summer view. . . Monday, 29 June 2026
Wispy electric-blue noctilucent clouds glowing above a dark twilight horizon, with rooftops, utility poles, streetlights, and overhead wires silhouetted beneath the night sky.
Monday, 29 June 2026

Shimmering summer view

Noctilucent clouds spotted over the UK
June temperature record broken again. Three days running. . . Friday, 26 June 2026
Temperature map of eastern England showing extreme heat around Ipswich and nearby areas, with temperatures reaching 36°C near Cambridge and a large red thermometer icon highlighting intense heat.
Friday, 26 June 2026

Three days running

June temperature record broken again
June heatwave also heated up the oceans. Across Europe's waters. . . Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Europe temperature map with sea temperature icons showing coastal water temperatures of 20–24°C around the British Isles, 20–25°C in the Baltic Sea, 25°C in the Black Sea, and 25–27°C across parts of the Mediterranean.
Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Across Europe's waters

June heatwave also heated up the oceans
All weather news
This might also interest you
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday, 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList