Rare clouds make Yorkshire sky look like cotton wool

Clouds pictured from Stamford Bridge near York

Bridget Rivers/BBC Weather Watchers Clouds pictured from Stamford Bridge near York — Clouds pictured from Stamford Bridge near York

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

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

BBC 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.

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

Rarelesserspotted/BBC Weather Watchers Clouds — The spectacular clouds, pictured here from Bridlington, resemble cotton wool

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."

A sheet of clouds pictured from Stanage Edge, near Sheffield

Jos/BBC Weather Watchers A sheet of clouds pictured from Stanage Edge, near Sheffield — A sheet of clouds pictured from Stanage Edge, near Sheffield

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

obiwakka/BBC Weather Watchers Cirrocumulus floccus clouds pictured from Morley in Leeds — The cirrocumulus floccus clouds, pictured from Morley in Leeds, often signal a storm is brewing

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

Meteorman/BBC Weather Watcher Clouds — The clouds, pictured here from Garforth in Leeds, were seen across Yorkshire

This striking image was taken at sunset from Fulwood in Sheffield

3merryladssheffield/BBC Weather Watchers Clouds — This striking image was taken at sunset from Fulwood in Sheffield

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