Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Animation of images from the GOES West weather satellite showing a bizarre actinoform cloud forming over the Pacific Ocean. "Actinoform" means "with rays" or spokes, which makes sense. However, it's not clear how these clouds form. The clouds around it are stratocumulus, a layer (stratus) of puffy (cumulus) clouds.
The animation plays four times.
Credit: NOAA
Original video: nesdis.noaa.gov/content/converging-cloud-cluster-swirls-over-pacific
Animation of images from the GOES West weather satellite showing a bizarre actinoform cloud forming over the Pacific Ocean. "Actinoform" means "with rays" or spokes, which makes sense. However, it's not clear how these clouds form. The clouds around it are stratocumulus, a layer (stratus) of puffy (cumulus) clouds.
The animation plays four times.
Credit: NOAA
Original video: nesdis.noaa.gov/content/converging-cloud-cluster-swirls-over-pacific
