An outbreak of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), also known as nacreous clouds, has been observed over the Arctic since December 9, approximately one month earlier than the typical season, which in the Arctic usually spans from January to March.
The display of unusual noctilucent clouds (NLCs) continues to light up the European skies on July 13, 2024, with another large outbreak seen all over the continent, leading to some stunning visuals.
The unexpected display of noctilucent clouds all over Europe since June 23, 2024, has given rise to a couple of speculations as to why are these clouds forming during a solar maximum when high solar activity inhibits their formation.
On June 23, 2024, Europe experienced an unexpected outbreak of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) despite high solar activity, which typically inhibits NLC formation. Earth-orbiting satellites also detected the display, noting NLCs down to a latitude of 55° N over the British Isles.
NASA’s MERRA-2 climate model reveals that the Arctic stratosphere has reached a 40-year record low for December, creating a sudden appearance of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) far beyond their usual Arctic confines.
An early outbreak of polar stratospheric clouds, known for their intense iridescence, was reported over parts of northern Europe on December 17, 2023.
A rare outbreak of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) is in progress around the North Pole.
A sharp spike in the frequency of noctilucent clouds was detected at the end of June 2022. This is the largest NLCs spike in the last 15 years.
Northern regions of Scandinavia were treated to a very rare high-altitude spectacle on January 17, 2022, photographer Adrien Mauduit reports. For about 2 hours, rare polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) type II appeared out of nowhere, displaying a staggering…
Noctilucent clouds are still bright and abundant 2 months after the start of the 2021 northern hemisphere season (May/June – August), and at the highest latitudes they are setting records, Dr. Tony Phillips of SpaceWeather.com noted in his latest NLC update….
