If you were in Southbroom recently, you probably did a double take when the waves seemingly lifted off into the sky!
Southbroom, South Africa (07 January 2025) — In the quaint coastal town of Southbroom in KwaZulu-Natal, residents and tourists alike were treated to a little visual splendour last week when the waves seemingly took off from the ocean and travelled up into the sky.
Some would’ve likely checked their lens prescriptions while others might’ve wondered if an artist hadn’t taken to the clouds. After all, it’s not everyday that cloud formations mimic waves in such a particular fashion and especially when they happen to be arranged just above an ocean.
Captured by @melj313 and shared by What’s on Durban, it was reported that the clouds are actually a rare phenomenon known as Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds.
Per National Geographic, these are clouds that look like ‘undulating waves’, named after the physicists who studied them.
Simply put, this formation happens after wind blows up and over a barrier; when there is a difference in the speed of the wind or the direction between different wind currents as the UCAR Centre for Science Education explains.The actual shape formation is the product of a more complicated process relating to evaporation and condensation patterns working together.
While many parts of South Africa have endured sweltering weather this summer so far, some users took to note humorously that ‘even the sky needed to cool down’ in reference to the wave clouds. And, we’re sure that the surfing community in Southbroom certainly enjoyed Mother Nature’s nod to their favourite activity.
Meanwhile in other news where waves took the spotlight (albeit for different reasons), troublesome waters saw a family of three face quite the life-threatening challenge when rip currents took them out in Jongensfontein recently. However, thanks to courageous surfers and the NSRI Stilbaai, the family were swiftly rescued! You can read the full story here.
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