Interesting clouds move across the sky and Houston notices

HOUSTON – Strange looking cloud formations were spotted in the skies above Houston Monday and people noticed.

• Potentially 2 chances of strong to severe storms Christmas week in Houston

Viewers submitted photos on Click2Pins of the tubular type clouds moving across the sky.

These clouds are what are known as volutus clouds or roll clouds. They are unique, because they are completely detached from other cloud features.

• Christmas Eve Cold Front: When to expect showers, storms across Houston

They typically form in two different types of environments. They can be found associated with thunderstorm downdrafts or along advancing cold fronts.

In other conditions, roll clouds form because of wind shear, the difference of wind speed and direction between the mid-levels of the atmosphere and the surface. This seems to be the case Monday.

These types of clouds are fairly rare and are part of the arcus cloud family.

We are always interested to see what our viewers send us. With storms in the forecast this week, if you are able to safely snap some photos of the storms, submit them to Click2Pins.