Yup, it’s another quintessentially British weather freakout.
It’s just not summer without us fretting about the weather, is it? Although this time, we may actually have grounds for our concern, because these ominous cloud formations were spotted over London earlier today – and it sort of feels like the apocalypse is coming.
Much like that crazy yellow sky we saw in 2017, the clouds have widely been interpreted as harbingers of doom, especially given that they’ve ominously coincided with the state visit of a giant orange baby. The Met Office would have you believe that they’re asperitas clouds – “a distinctive, but relatively rare cloud formation that takes the appearance of rippling waves” – but we all know they’re here with a more malevolent purpose. Just look at them, about to suck a residential street up into the vortex:
I’m chipping to add the cloud I saw in south London this morning. Any ideas?! pic.twitter.com/ErQ6CJA3YP
— Alexa Brown (@alexabrown) June 4, 2019
There were no survivors. Next, the clouds turned their attention to Thornton Heath, aiming to transport this sleepy section of South London to another dimension:
Anyone else see this creepy cloud this morning? #blackhole #london pic.twitter.com/G7F8k3CROi
— sammie (@xxxsammiexxxxx) June 4, 2019
Before long, the apocalyptic clouds set their eyes on bigger fish. It’s the classic opening gambit of any disaster film/hostile takeover: occupy the seat of government and create a power vacuum.
Morning @liamdutton saw this cloud formation over London this morning. Looked interesting – is it? pic.twitter.com/MIfUPTycyn
— Iain (@IainMellis1) June 4, 2019
Nowhere was safe. This is the last anyone has seen of Battersea Power Station, I’m saddened to report.
You thought you could outrun it? You were wrong.
There’s no going back to life before The Clouds. All we can do now is pick up the pieces, vow never to forget, and move on – always keeping a weather eye on the horizon for the return of our cloudy tormentors.
All jokes aside, asperitas clouds are a fascinating phenomenon; the newest form of cloud (only officially recognised in 2015) is also very rare, appearing when the wind direction changes sharply upwards. They are produced by unstable conditions (like all the best life decisions), and are often linked to thunderstorms – whatever the case, they certainly are dramatic!
Featured image: Iain Mellis