Rare clouds make Yorkshire sky look like cotton wool

Image source, Bridget Rivers/大象传媒 Weather Watchers

Image caption, Clouds pictured from Stamford Bridge near York

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Spectacular clouds resembling sheets of cotton wool were visible in the skies across Yorkshire over the weekend.

The cirrocumulus floccus clouds were photographed by 大象传媒 Weather Watchers from the Peak District to North Yorkshire.

大象传媒 weather presenter Keeley Donovan said the clouds were a "relatively rare" type which often signalled stormy weather was on the way.

Viewers in Sheffield, Leeds and Bridlington also sent in pictures.

Image source, Rarelesserspotted/大象传媒 Weather Watchers

Image caption, The spectacular clouds, pictured here from Bridlington, resemble cotton wool

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The name cirrocumulus floccus translates from Latin to "lock of wool".

"You can see they are made up of lots of small white clouds called cloudlets," said Donovan.

"They are high clouds, caused by instability above around 20,00ft. They are made up of a mixture of ice crystals and supercooled water droplets - that's when water exists in liquid form well below 0C.

"They often develop ahead of stormy weather, which of course we had on Sunday, so they're a signal to enjoy the weather while you can."

Image source, Jos/大象传媒 Weather Watchers

Image caption, A sheet of clouds pictured from Stanage Edge, near Sheffield

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Image source, obiwakka/大象传媒 Weather Watchers

Image caption, The cirrocumulus floccus clouds, pictured from Morley in Leeds, often signal a storm is brewing

Image source, Meteorman/大象传媒 Weather Watcher

Image caption, The clouds, pictured here from Garforth in Leeds, were seen across Yorkshire

Image source, 3merryladssheffield/大象传媒 Weather Watchers

Image caption, This striking image was taken at sunset from Fulwood in Sheffield

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