Wave Clouds Viewed from Aloft

January 25, 2008

012508

Photographer:  Jason Harris, Steward Observatory
Summary Authors: Jason Harris, Jim Foster 

The photo above showing well-behaved rows of altocumulus clouds was captured over New Mexico on September 18, 2007. Wave clouds commonly occur when stable air is forced to rise over elevated terrain. The continuity of these waves was remarkable, stretching all the way to the horizon. I surreptitiously took this image with my cell phone camera out the window of a commercial aircraft.

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