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Actinoform clouds were recently observed by NOAA satellites over the eastern Pacific.

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These collections of shallow clouds organize into distinctive radial patterns.

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They often appear leaf-like or similar to wagon wheel spokes.

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They are commonly observed over open water in the Pacific Ocean,

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in areas where stratocumulus clouds form.

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The cloud patterns can last up to 72 hours and bring drizzling rain.

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The formations are usually so large that they cannot be seen from below. 

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They were first observed in 1962, by NASA’s TIROS V satellite.

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It’s not yet clearly understood how actinoform clouds develop 
and organize into their distinctive patterns. 

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Studying these clouds with NOAA’s advanced satellite sensors 
may lead to important new insights about our atmosphere.

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Special thank you to CIMSS for additional GOES-9 & GOES-17 imagery.

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Earth from Orbit: Actinoform Clouds

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NASA Meatball

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