PHOTOS: ‘Jellyfish’ clouds over Portland explained
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portlanders might have felt like they were living underwater Tuesday morning as jellyfish-like clouds were spotted around the metro area.
Yes, Tuesday’s clouds look like jellyfish, but that’s not the technical term. The aquatic-looking cloud is better known as an “altocumulus cloud with virga drifting over the Portland area,” explained via a tweet sent out by the Portland National Weather Service Tuesday morning.
‘Jellyfish’-like clouds caught on camera by Linda Berkemeier in Southeast Portland on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Credit: Linda Berkemeier) ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 viewer Matt Bowlin on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Credit: Matt Bowlin) ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. ‘Jellyfish’ clouds caught by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
Altocumulus clouds are mid-level clouds that have some of the same characteristics as thunderstorm clouds but on a much smaller and less intense scale. They are also a good indicator of some instability in the atmosphere. That would make sense as Portland prepares for its next round of spring rains Wednesday.
The virga inspected is the tentacles or oral arms seen extending down from the clouds. Virga is precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground.
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So, when you put both the virga and altocumulus clouds together, it looks like little jellyfish floating over the skies of Portland.
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