Prior to the rain showers that fell on Saturday Morning, many captured a strange phenomenon in the sky. In Baton Rouge, several noted an odd, rolling blanket covering the sky.

Caught some undulatus asperatus Saturday afternoon in #BatonRouge. These are caused by wind shear/turbulence under a stable cloud layer like this stratus deck. @WBRZ @WBRZweather @JacelynWheatWX pic.twitter.com/h8iPRmuOsd

— Josh Eachus (@DrJoshWX) January 21, 2023

Known as “undulatus asperatus” clouds, these agitated cloud formations are slated to become the first new classification in the International Cloud Atlas since the 1950s. The Cloud Appreciation Society first began campaigning for a new designation in 2011. The rise of digital photography and social media plus the viral nature of undulatus asperatus cloud pictures really helped the crusade gain traction.

Little is understood about what causes them, however, meteorologists believe it is the result of wind shear at the base of the cloud causing well-defined wave-like structures. The process is similar to that which forms mammatus clouds.

Anytime you see weather happening, send it in to us on Twitter @WBRZweather or email weather@wbrz.com!