‘Rare’ cloud formation spotted over Trinidad’s Central Range

An “extremely rare” cloud phenomenon was spotted over Trinidad’s Central Range, called a Kelvin-Helmholtz Cloud.

In an update today, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service shared information about the Kelvin-Helmholtz Cloud, which was named after physicists Hermann von Helmholtz and William Thomson (Lord Kelvin).

The Met Office shared a photo of the cloud formation, taken on November 5, 2024 by Haley Anderson.

“An extremely rare phenomenon, where a cloud produces a billowing wave pattern. They occur when there is a strong vertical shear between two air streams, causing winds to blow faster at the upper level than at the lower levels.

“The wind speed at the top of the cloud layer is faster than that at the bottom, which rolls the cloud into wave shapes.

“These clouds form in stable layers of the atmosphere, such as near a temperature inversion.

“Resembling evenly spaced rolling ocean waves, Kelvin-Helmholtz are one of the most striking and rare cloud types.”

The Met Office said the height of the base can be any height but is usually found at higher levels.

The structure features a repeating wave pattern, with no precipitation.

For more information about this and other weather phenomena, visit the Met Office’s social media channels.