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This was looking West from Riverton at about 7:10pm tonight. They look kinda like bubbles in the sky. Really neat clouds, just wondering what they are called?? Thanks for all that you do for us.
Jim J. Riverton UT
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Nice photo! What you're seeing in the photos and you are right to say they look like bubbles are Mammatus clouds. Mammatus clouds are totally awesome and we don't see them all the time, especially if you aren't used to looking for nifty clouds.
Mammatus clouds are associated with thunderstorms. They form on the outside of the anvil, thus when you see them, you know severe weather was or is close by. These clouds can form on weakening thunderstorms but conditions might still be ripe for more severe weather so you aren't exactly in the clear.
Mammatus clouds get their name because they look like the underbelly of the cow or the mammary (cow's udders) or as I like to say to the kids, the mamma cow. Anytime we have thunderstorms around be on the look out for these spectacular clouds they are a real sight to see and very interesting.
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
