<p>Asperitas clouds have been spotted for over a decade, but they were only added to the International Cloud Atlas recently. They are noticeable from the rough divets that break their surfaces.</p>

Asperitas clouds have been spotted for over a decade, but they were only added to the International Cloud Atlas recently. They are noticeable from the rough divets that break their surfaces.

Photograph by Alamy

11 New Cloud Types Named—First in 30 Years

Without personal technology, such as smart phones, these new clouds might have never been added to the International Cloud Atlas.

When satellites first began taking photos of our Earth it revolutionized the way we saw our atmosphere, providing images on a grand scale from above. Now the advent of personal tech, such as smart phones, is giving us a new perspective on the sky from below.

This increased use of technology is what prompted the World Meteorological Organization to add 11 new cloud classifications to their International Cloud Atlas, a globally recognized source for meteorologists. A far cry from simple white puffs, these 11 new cloud types roll, dip, and menace their way across the skies.

Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, believes that this democratized access to photographing and sharing images will help create a sense of

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