NEW ORLEANS — Did you see the oddly-shaped and menacing clouds over southeast Louisiana Saturday late afternoon?
WWL-TV's Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford said they are called Asperitas clouds and they "form when there is air turbulence and wave action in the atmosphere and sometimes precede thunderstorms.
WWL-TV Meteorologist Payton Malone tweeted that they indicate waves and chaotic movement in the atmosphere, and WWL-TV Meteorolgist Dave Nussbaum said that the Asperitas clouds can sometimes be seen when there is rain nearby. He described them as looking like a rough sea surface.
According to the World Meteorological organization, Asperitas Clouds are said to be "Well-defined, wave-like structures in the underside of the cloud." The website for the WMO says they are characterized by localized waves in the cloud base, either smooth or dappled with smaller features.
WWL-TV viewers sent in photos from all over the metro area - Kenner, LaRose, Houma.