New type of cloud spotted in Wisconsin
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Updated: 7:07 PM Jul 2, 2009
New type of cloud spotted in Wisconsin
Clouds form overhead every day and we generally don't think much about it. Meteorologists say there are three basic types of clouds but there are dozens of sub categories. There might be one more added because of a photo taken in Western Wisconsin.
Posted: 6:34 PM Jul 2, 2009
Reporter: Chris Baylor
Email Address: chirs.baylor@weau.com
taken by D. Maxwell
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Clouds form overhead every day and we generally don't think much about it. Meteorologists say there are three basic types of clouds but there are dozens of sub categories. There might be one more added because of a photo taken in Western Wisconsin.

As clouds pass by we don't think much of them unless they're dropping rain on us or are blocking the sun.

One woman noticed an unusual cloud and was quick enough to grab her camera.

Danielle Maxwell says, "All of the sudden the sky got really dark."

She was worried her windows were open on her car when she say a storm rolling in. She says when she ran outside she noticed a unique sight in the sky.

Danielle says, "When I turned to the west that’s when I saw these rolling clouds that were unlike anything I had seen before."

WEAU 13 Meteorologist Ashley Baylor says they're unlike anything Danielle has seen because they are few and far between.

Ashley Baylor, "First of all these clouds are really rare and because they are so rare they haven't been studied a whole lot."

Baylor says these clouds are so rare there's now a push for these to be classified as a new type of cloud.

She says, "In a sense it deserves its own classification to the group of cumuli clouds."

Danielle took about 25 pictures and sent them to the Royal Meteorological Society in England. The EMS and the cloud appreciation society are working to make these a new cloud.

Danielle says, "It's pretty neat, I am an amateur photographer and so I like that I am able to be out there some how."

Danielle says she is excited her pictures are helping to possibly define a new type of cloud. She says, "I am glad to be part of it and be able to add something and I am interested to see what comes about it."

Ashley says, "Danielle is very lucky, anytime you can find a rare type of cloud you are lucky."

Margaret Lemone from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Bolder Colorado says a lot of work still needs to be done before a name would be official.


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