A stunning ‘cloud waterfall’ was seen on the ranges around Wellington on Tuesday afternoon.  The more technical name is ‘orographic cloud’.  These clouds form when an air mass is pushed up over ranges. As the air gets pushed higher into the sky (increasing in altitude) it starts to cool down and can create clouds. Then, as the air tumbles down the other side, it warms back up again and ‘melts away’.

You see conditions like this around Wellington sometimes when the winds are light – but swing around to the South East (as they are now at Wellington airport).  

Overseas and the ranges around San Francisco are also well known for similar clouds – and guess what, San Fran – like Wellington – also gets annoying fog at the airport from time to time! 

Photo: From @R_Snorseman on Twitter – “Check this mist sneaking over the #EasternHills @WeatherWatchNZ. I’ve not seen this often #Wellington“

– WeatherWatch.co.nz