Noctilucent Clouds

Critical Fire Weather Conditions in the Plains; Increasing Severe Weather Chances for the Plains and Upper Midwest

A strengthening storm system will bring impactful weather to the much of Central U.S. over the next couple of days, including heavy snow in the northern Rockies, Critical fire weather conditions for portions of the Plains, and increasing severe weather chances from the central/southern Plains to the Upper Midwest. Read More >

Noctilucent Clouds

On the morning of October 28^th,rare noctilucent clouds were visible over Monterey. Noctilucent clouds are thin silvery-blue cirrus-like clouds frequently seen during summer twilight conditions at high latitudes (above 50°) in both hemispheres. These clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals at heights 50-70 miles above the earth's surface. (source) However, the clouds seen this morning were formed by the launch of the NPOESS Preparatory Project spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Below are two images of the noctilucent clouds.