As of today, out of season. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds are short-lived billow or fluctus cloud patterns that look like breaking ocean waves.
They form when two atmospheric layers move at different speeds (strong vertical shear) and a stable layer produces rolled-up wavelets at a cloud interface.
They are global and sporadic, appearing wherever the right shear and stratification happen.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Mount Washington Summit (Mount Washington Observatory viewing area) |
| Hawk Hill Overlook, Marin Headlands (Golden Gate National Recreation Area) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.