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Storm Dudley's weird and wonderful clouds

17 February 2022

Mammatus clouds formed over parts of Scotland during Storm Dudley on Wednesday evening.

According to the Met Office, the unusual clouds with their pouches and bulges form in association with huge and unstable cumulonimbus clouds, which often bring heavy rain.

Mammatus comes from the Latin mamma which translates to "udder" or "breast".

A view of the clouds from Clarkston in East Renfrewshire.

carntsleep/BBC Weather Watchers Clarkston — A view of the clouds from Clarkston in East Renfrewshire.

The scene in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, during Wednesday's stormy weather.

Feefeefifi/BBC Weather Watchers Giffnock — The scene in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, during Wednesday's stormy weather.

A photograph of the clouds taken at Nine Mile Burn in Midlothian.

Celtic Captures/BBC Weather Watchers Clouds — A photograph of the clouds taken at Nine Mile Burn in Midlothian.

A picture taken in Glasgow, one of the places covered by an amber weather warning during Storm Dudley.

Diana B/BBC Weather Watchers Mammatus clouds — A picture taken in Glasgow, one of the places covered by an amber weather warning during Storm Dudley.

The clouds are usually associated with cumulonimbus clouds.

Karen Abbott Clouds — The clouds are usually associated with cumulonimbus clouds.

Clarkston enjoyed some of the best views of the cloud formations.

Stevie Carenduff Mammatus clouds — Clarkston enjoyed some of the best views of the cloud formations.

In winter snow can form with mammatus clouds, according to the Met Office.

David Hendry Mammatus clouds — In winter snow can form with mammatus clouds, according to the Met Office.

A view of the clouds in Kilmacolm, Inverclyde.

Monty/BBC Weather Watchers Kilmacolm — A view of the clouds in Kilmacolm, Inverclyde.

Images all copyrighted.