Little lumpy clouds

An evening storm on June 8 brought a much-needed shot of light moisture, but also high winds and some unusual phenomena in the skies. The brief deluge was followed by a period of soft, yellow lighting as the sunset reflected from the “lumpy” clouds that traveled over, just before the dark of night rather abruptly set in.

Mammatus clouds are associated with anvil clouds and severe thunderstorms, often extending under a cumulonimbus. They are often described as foreboding, perhaps because despite being harmless themselves, they tend to be warning signs of an extreme weather system and can extend for hundreds of miles.

The highest level of rainfall in the area that day was four miles north of Moorcroft, where just over half an inch was recorded by the National Weather Service during the 24 hours. Wind speeds reached high numbers across the region, with gusts of 62 mph recorded in Beulah and 51 mph in Pine Haven.