A remarkable display of mammatus clouds was captured over the Northamptonshire area, transforming the sky into a dramatic and otherworldly scene.
Mammatus clouds are a rare atmospheric phenomenon that form beneath the anvils of powerful thunderstorms. Their distinctive pouch-like structures develop when precipitation or ice crystals in the upper levels of the storm begin to melt or evaporate. This process cools the surrounding air, creating pockets of sinking, denser air. Wind shear and turbulence then shape these pockets into the rounded lobes that define mammatus formations.
While not a direct indicator of tornadoes, mammatus clouds are often linked to severe weather conditions, including lightning, hail, and heavy rainfall. Their unusual and striking appearance makes them one of the most dramatic sights in the natural world.