35+ Weird Cloud Pics People Captured on Camera Proving the World Is a Scary Place

These Clouds Are Beautiful and Eerie

The natural world is full of surprises, and sometimes these surprises come in the form of eerie and unsettling cloud formations. However, these weird and beautiful shapes also remind us of nature’s sheer power and beauty. From ominous storm clouds to unusual and whimsical cloud patterns, the sky never ceases to amaze us with its endless creativity. These photos showcase the fascinating and diverse ways clouds can morph and transform, proving that the world is both scary and wonderful in equal measure.

Roll Around

No, this isn’t a roll of fluffy cake for you to chomp, but an actual roll cloud! Roll clouds are a rare type of arcus cloud that appears as low, horizontal, tube-shaped clouds detached from other cloud features. They roll about a horizontal axis like a solitary wave called a soliton.

Roll Around

The Morning Glory cloud in Queensland, Australia, is a famous example of this phenomenon. Coastal roll clouds have been observed worldwide, including California, the English Channel, and Brazil.

A Shelf of Magic

Who said clouds couldn’t make a difference? These beautiful, mesmerizing clouds over this valley make it look like a path leading directly into The Shire.

A Shelf of Magic

This is a shelf cloud, a wedge-shaped arcus cloud attached to the base of a parent cloud, usually a thunderstorm. It may be mistaken for a wall cloud, as it appears as a wall made of clouds. It can turn any regular sight into one full of magic and possibilities.

Sinister Presence

If you can stand below a formation of Undulatus Asperatus, you’ll know what it means to stand in the presence of sinister greatness. You can’t look away but can’t help the ominous shiver.

Sinister Presence

Undulatus Asperatus, which roughly translates to agitated waves, may look troubling but most often dissipate with no storm in sight. The Plains states of the United States frequently experience these, especially during midday or morning hours after convective thunderstorms.

A Night Time Experience

Behold, the magical Noctilucent clouds! These wispy formations, made of shimmering water ice crystals, are like the “ragged edge” of a much brighter and more pervasive polar cloud layer called polar mesospheric clouds. They shine bright in the deep twilight, a sight to behold in the summer months between latitudes 50° and 70° north and south of the equator.

A Night Time Experience

Though discovered just in 1885, noctilucent clouds continue to dazzle us with their whimsical nature, leaving us enchanted and in awe of the wonders of the upper atmosphere.

A Sky Full of Pouches

If you ever look up and see that the sky is no longer a vast blue plain for as far as the eyes can see but instead a decorative ceiling of pouches, then you’re probably witnessing a cloud phenomenon known as Mammatus.

A Sky Full of Pouches

This term is used when cellular pouches hang underneath the clouds, making it look like a sea of pouches hanging from the sky. It’s definitely a sight to behold.

A Cloudy Apocalypse

Have you seen the photo of a Fallstreak hole? It’s like the beginning of a movie titled “Apocalypse: The Clouds!” But no, it’s not a UFO sighting. This hole punch cloud, canal cloud, or cloud hole is a rare and unique worldwide phenomenon.

A Cloudy Apocalypse

From the US to Asia, people are snapping photos of these marvels. So, the next time you see one, don’t freak out — it’s just a Fallstreak hole, not an alien phenomenon!

Waves of Clouds

When you look up and see wave clouds, it’s hard not to feel a sense of wonder and amazement. These unusual cloud formations are created by internal atmospheric waves generated when stable air flows over a raised land feature.

Waves of Clouds

As the air moves through the wave, it undergoes repeated uplift and descent, causing moisture to form clouds at the cooled crests. The result is a breathtaking display of clouded and clear bands that can stretch for miles across the sky.

A Medley of Colors

Gazing up at a photo of iridescent clouds is like staring at a work of art crafted by Mother Nature herself. The incredible display of colors in the clouds is reminiscent of the shimmering hues you might see in an oil film on a puddle.

A Medley of Colors

These stunning cloud formations are most commonly observed in Altocumulus, Cirrocumulus, and Lenticular clouds, but sometimes you might even spot them in cirrus clouds. While iridescence in clouds is rare, it’s truly a breathtaking sight.

A Fiery Sky

Looking at a photo of pyrocumulus clouds is like staring at a scene from a disaster movie. These menacing clouds are associated with fire or volcanic activity and result from the intense heating of the air from the surface.

A Fiery Sky

They’re often called fire clouds because of their connection to wildfires, but they can also form during volcanic eruptions. The dynamics behind pyrocumulus clouds are similar to those of a firestorm, although they can occur independently of one another.

A Stairway to Heaven

Led Zeppelin may have sung about the “Stairway to Heaven”, but wave window clouds look like the actual manifestation of the phrase. Wave windows clouds have long, wavy streaks that look like the sky is parting to make way for something great.

A Stairway to Heaven

Wave window clouds are created by internal atmospheric waves, forming as stable air flows over a raised land feature like a mountain range. The result is a mesmerizing display of clouds inviting us to explore the unknown depths of the sky.

Big Snowflakes

Actinoform clouds are one of the most fascinating and captivating cloud formations. These clouds have a unique and intricate pattern that resembles a delicate snowflake or a star. They are formed by the convergence of cold and warm air masses, which create a distinctive circular pattern in the cloud.

Big Snowflakes

The name “Actinoform” comes from the Greek word “actin,” which means ray, and “form,” which means shape. The result is a stunning cloud formation that looks like a work of art in the sky.

A Colorful Display

Polar stratospheric clouds, known as nacreous clouds, are a unique and otherworldly display from Mother Earth. These clouds are a rare and beautiful sight, usually only visible in polar regions during winter.

A Colorful Display

They are composed of tiny ice crystals that scatter sunlight, producing a stunning display of colors. The clouds appear iridescent, with hues ranging from pinks and oranges to blues and greens.

Pileus Clouds

Pileus clouds are a unique and often overlooked cloud formation. They form when a fast-moving air mass, such as a thunderstorm, rapidly rises and cools.

Pileus Clouds

The result is a striking and almost surreal sight, with the cloud appearing like a cap or scarf (hence also being nicknamed cap or scarf clouds) atop the storm. Pileus clouds are rare and often fleeting, making them a unique and exciting view for those lucky enough to witness them.

Morning Glory

Morning Glory clouds are a rare and mysterious cloud formation in the skies above the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia. These clouds are long, tube-shaped, and can stretch for hundreds of miles, with their unusual shape often likened to a giant rolling pin or a huge wave.

Morning Glory

Witnessing a Morning Glory cloud formation is a truly awe-inspiring experience that is highly sought after by weather enthusiasts and pilots alike.

A Mountain Hat

Mt. Fuji is a spectacular mountain in itself, needing no extra adornments. But this photo proves that sometimes a little goes a long way. This isn’t the mountain wearing a hat but a unique and fascinating cloud formation.

A Mountain Hat

The sight of a Lenticular cloud above Mt. Fuji, Japan, is truly stunning. In the case of Mt. Fuji, this creates an attractive base for the cloud to form around, making it look like the famous peak does indeed have a hat on.

Man vs. Wild

When Queensland, Australia, experienced the rare meteorological phenomenon of the Morning Glory. Hand gliding enthusiast Johny Durand found the perfect opportunity to show off some skills and get the perfect shot while doing it!

Man vs. Wild

As the cloud rolled towards him, Durand took off with his hang glider, gliding along with the cloud, creating a stunning display of human flight alongside this natural wonder. It’s a breathtaking moment as two different elements of the earth come together to form a truly unique experience.

The Suburban Storm

Who said that you can’t see some stunning sights right from the window of your suburban house? Here’s an example of some intense Mammatus action preceding the storm over a suburb of Montreal, adding to the drama of an approaching storm.

The Suburban Storm

Mammatus clouds are a stunning sight, often associated with severe thunderstorms. These clouds form when sinking air pulls down moist air, creating distinctive shapes. The pockets of sinking air can also indicate the potential for severe weather, making them both beautiful and ominous.

An Antarctic Miracle

These clouds, aka Nacreous clouds, look like a surreal painting with their distinctive mother-of-pearl appearance. They were captured at the McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Nacreous clouds are a breathtakingly beautiful sight, shimmering in iridescent colors against the backdrop of an Antarctic sky.

An Antarctic Miracle

They create a spectacular display that seems almost extraterrestrial, giving the feeling that you’re standing on a different planet altogether.

The UFO

Ah, yes, the classic Lenticular cloud UFOs. Because nothing screams “extraterrestrial spacecraft” like a cloud formation. Who needs hard evidence when you have a whimsical cloud on which to base theories?

The UFO

Apparently, they’re more common around Mount Rainier, so clearly, aliens have a preference for scenic mountain ranges. Or maybe they’re just cool-looking clouds that we should appreciate for their natural beauty.

Mountain Recall

Another classic Lenticular cloud, this time appearing in the Argentinean Patagonia. The aliens are going on a world tour and stopping by all the picturesque mountain ranges for a quick photo op. But wait, what’s that? Is the cloud trying to communicate with the mountain?

Mountain Recall

Maybe it’s saying, “Hey, come aboard my interstellar spaceship; we’ve got some incredible views up here.” Or it’s just a coincidental cloud formation causing people to see what they want.

Nature’s Paintbrush

This isn’t a close-up of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” but it might as well be. Behold, the Altocumulus cloud formation as seen from the International Space Station. It’s like Mother Nature decided to put on her finest art exhibit for all of us to enjoy.

Nature’s Paintbrush

These cloudlets are no ordinary clouds. They form at 6,500 to 23,000 feet and are created by two regions of ocean air moving at different speeds. How amazing is that?!

Dream a Little Dream

The beauty of nature can be awe-inspiring, and nothing captures its power quite like the rare formation of Mammatus clouds. Caught in the dramatic hues of dusk light, this breathtaking sight above New York City in 2009 looks like a scene straight out of a movie.

Dream a Little Dream

The orange hues and the unique formation of these clouds give an almost surreal appearance, like something out of a dream. A simple moment like this can leave a lasting impression.

Too Good to Be True

Behold the surreal beauty of Noctilucent clouds captured over the Tibetan Plateau from the International Space Station. These super rare formations occur when water vapor freezes in the mesospheric layer of the atmosphere, creating a sight that looks almost too otherworldly to be real.

Too Good to Be True

Illuminated by an obscured sun, these clouds glow with an otherworldly light, leaving us in awe of the majesty surrounding us daily.

On the Way to Oz

Feast your eyes on this Lenticular funnel cloud formation captured in Palm Springs, California, in April 2010. This cloud resembles a living, breathing beast hovering ominously over Southern California.

On the Way to Oz

Its tornado-like shape is intimidating, but don’t expect it to whisk you away to Oz. So buckle up and enjoy the ride because when it comes to weather, you never know what kind of adventure awaits.

A Duplicate Rainbow

This fog bow was captured in all its ethereal beauty outside Sydney, Australia. Like a rainbow, the fog bow is created by sunlight’s reflection, refraction, and dispersion through tiny droplets of moisture. But unlike a rainbow, the droplets are much smaller, resulting in a faint and almost colorless appearance.

A Duplicate Rainbow

In this shot, the fog bow appears as a stunning, almost otherworldly white arc, a reminder of the incredible complexity and beauty that exists in the natural world.

Water Spout

This isn’t just any ordinary storm cloud; it’s a waterspout captured in all its glory off the coast of the Balearic Islands, Spain. A waterspout is a tornado that occurs over water without a supercell.

Water Spout

In this region, where the waters are some of the clearest in the world, the sight of a swirling vortex like this is truly awe-inspiring.

Storm Incoming

This stunning photo captures the intensity of a Mammatus storm in Norman, Oklahoma, with its distinctive Mammatocumulus formations hanging ominously in the sky. These unique cloud formations are often tied to storm activity, and in this shot, their rippled and bulbous shapes warn of the approaching storm.

Storm Incoming

Despite the difficulty in capturing such a dynamic moment, the photographer has managed to freeze the action with a one-second shutter speed, creating a mesmerizing image that reminds us of the incredible beauty all around.

Arcs of the Sky

Behold the fascinating Lenticular arcs of Seattle, a stunning display of cloud formations that never fail to captivate the imagination. These unique cloud formations are characterized by their elongated, lens-shaped structures and are a subcategory of the more prominent family of Lenticular clouds.

Arcs of the Sky

However, even within this subcategory, there is a remarkable degree of variety and nuance, as evidenced by the striking contrast between these Lenticular arcs and the mountaintop UFOs in other parts of the world.

Roll Across the Water

This isn’t the dust left behind by a certain speedy cartoon bird. Instead, it is a stunning display of natural power and beauty that reminds us of the incredible forces that shape our world.

Roll Across the Water

This roll cloud, captured in all its glory over Punta del Este, Uruguay, is a marvel of nature that never ceases to amaze. These rare formations, long and cylindrical in look, appear to “roll” as it moves across the sky.

Out of the Ocean

Stratus clouds are the ones that hover low to the ground, making everything seem just a little bit more eerie and mysterious. They’re the clouds that turn into thick fog, causing us to slow down on the roads and be extra careful.

Out of the Ocean

And in this photo, we can see them engulfing the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, making it seem like it’s rising out of a sea of clouds.

A Magical Carpet Ride

The stunning display of colors in this photo of the Lenticular ribbon over Tararua Range, New Zealand, seems like a work of art by nature. With its vibrant hues blending seamlessly, it’s hard not to get lost in this mesmerizing sight.

A Magical Carpet Ride

The Lenticular ribbon formation, aka the wave cloud, creates a striking contrast against the clear blue sky. It’s easy to imagine that if we were to sail through these clouds, we’d feel like we were on a magic carpet ride, flying above the world below.

No Photos Please

Wall clouds are often associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, so it’s unsurprising that the photographer caught this woman trying to capture the moment. However, it’s important to remember that safety should always come first.

No Photos Please

Wall clouds are typically the result of a storm’s updrafts and downdrafts interacting with each other, causing the cloud to rotate and potentially form a tornado. So, if you find yourself in the path of a wall cloud, it’s best to seek shelter immediately and leave the photograph for another day.

The Fabric of Nature

The beauty of this photo lies in its complexity and texture. It’s as if Mother Nature has painted a masterpiece on a canvas made of water and clouds. The swirls and lines create an intricate pattern, almost like a textured fabric.

The Fabric of Nature

The glories and vortices are mesmerizing and draw the viewer in with their soft colors and delicate shapes. It’s hard to believe that the forces of nature could create something so intricate and beautiful.

Monster Approaching

The menacing appearance of this shelf cloud over a North Dakota farm is enough to make anyone run for cover. The seemingly endless expanse of the cloud, with its layered structure and ominous darkness, gives the impression of a monstrous creature slowly approaching.

Monster Approaching

However, this is just another stunning example of nature’s incredible power and beauty. The immense scale and complexity of the shelf cloud are a reminder of the tremendous forces at work in our atmosphere.

Scribble it Out

In Seattle, where this photo was taken, this phenomenon is often associated with the city’s notoriously turbulent weather patterns. The clouds seem to undulate and twist, defying gravity and giving the impression of movement even when perfectly still.

Scribble it Out

It’s no wonder these clouds have captured the imaginations of photographers and weather enthusiasts alike, as they offer a glimpse into the intricate and often unpredictable workings of the natural world.

Superheroes Arise

The swirling colors in the photo of the Pileus cloud over Chitlapakkam, India, make for a stunning visual. It’s almost as if a superhero is rising from the clouds with a cape of multi-colored swirls. However, the reality is much less dramatic but equally fascinating.

Superheroes Arise

Pileus clouds are formed when moist, warm air rises rapidly and encounters a more relaxed layer, causing condensation. They’re often seen on top of Cumulus clouds, indicating the potential for thunderstorms.

Lightning Behind

Arcus clouds, also known as shelf clouds, are a type of low-level cloud formation that typically form at the leading edge of thunderstorm outflows or cold fronts. In this photo taken in Australia, the layers of arcus clouds create a dramatic scene as they appear to be illuminated from behind by a lightning strike.

Lightning Behind

The partially hidden lightning in the photo adds to the ominous atmosphere, reminding us of the power and unpredictability of nature.

The Perfect Space Plane

This formation over Kananaskis Country, Alberta, looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie, with its perfectly round shape and smooth, curved edges.

The Perfect Space Plane

The layers of the cloud give it a sense of depth and dimension, almost as if it’s hovering in the sky. It’s a stunning sight to behold, and for all the theorists out there, it could be possible that this is where the Men in Black aliens come from.

A Suburban Shake Up

The towering Cumulonimbus cloud captured in this photo over Beverley, England, is a testament to the immense power of nature. These clouds are often associated with thunderstorms and can produce strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain.

A Suburban Shake Up

While this particular cloud may not have been a supercell storm, it still commands attention with its imposing size and dramatic shape. It serves as a reminder that even in the quaint suburbs, one must always be prepared for the unpredictability of nature’s wonders.

A Two-In-One Deal

The Lenticular roll cloud over Lake Tahoe, NV, was a sight. With its unique combination of features, it resembled a ribbon that was running down the sky. Its appearance was nothing short of surreal, almost like a cartoon coming to life where the sky seemed alive and moving in ways we had never seen before.

A Two-In-One Deal

It was a fascinating phenomenon that left many people in awe, wondering what other surprises nature had for us.

A Tree Halo

This stunning halo over this tree isn’t a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end but just a cloud formation. Cirrostratus Nebulosus is a cloud formation commonly found in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

A Tree Halo

It’s characterized by its delicate and almost transparent appearance, making it difficult to spot unless illuminated by the sun at a particular angle. The cloud is made up of ice crystals that are so small they’re almost weightless, giving it a feathery and ethereal appearance.

Upside-Down Pool

This photo looks like a pool of goldfish swimming in the sky, but it is the opposite – a sky full of clouds. This incredible display of nature’s beauty reminds us of our intricate and awe-inspiring world.

Upside-Down Pool

Cloud iridescence is a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs when light hits individual droplets of moisture in optically thin clouds, resulting in stunning rainbow-like colors across the sky.

Red Swirls

This photo is surreal enough to be sold as a painting at a gallery. The vortex cloud over Wallops Island, Virginia, is a stunning example of a natural phenomenon in various scenarios, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and cyclones.

Red Swirls

In this particular photo, the vortex is made visible through colored smoke in a NASA study on the wake vortices of aircraft. This fascinating phenomenon occurs when there is a difference in air pressure between two regions, causing a rotation of air masses.

Bad Day at the Beach

Oh boy, talk about a downer at the beach. You’re just trying to catch some rays and ride some waves, and suddenly you see this ominous cloud formation rolling in. But wait, upon closer inspection; it’s not a tidal wave; it’s a shelf cloud.

Bad Day at the Beach

Phew, crisis averted. Still, shelf clouds are slightly intimidating, looking like they’re ready to sweep in and wreak havoc when they’re just an incredible weather phenomenon caused by gust fronts.

The Outer Space Invasion

Lenticular clouds, or “flying saucer” clouds, are stationary and lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes. They come in different types, such as ACSL, SCSL, and CCSL, and have been mistaken as UFOs due to their shape.

The Outer Space Invasion

When moist air flows over mountains, standing waves may form on the downwind side, and if the temperature drops, Lenticular clouds may appear. It’s like the mountains are creating their alien landing pads! But don’t worry; it’s just Mother Nature’s way of showing off her artistic side.