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What Are Asperitas Clouds?
Asperitas clouds—derived from the Latin word for "rough" or "uneven"—are rare cloud formations that resemble churning ocean waves in the sky. These clouds were officially recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 2017 and added to the International Cloud Atlas due to their unique and dramatic appearance.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Asperitas clouds form when cold air in the upper atmosphere collides strongly with warm, rising air near the surface, creating atmospheric instability that leads to wave-like undulations on the underside of cloud layers.
Timeline of Events in South Korea
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| Seoul sky with mysterious wave-like clouds on May 1st. |
May 1 – Asperitas Clouds Over Seoul
On May 1, residents of Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area captured incredible images of rough wave-shaped clouds above the city.
- These clouds formed as rain clouds moved in from the Yellow Sea, bringing thunder, lightning, and even hail to some areas.
- Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) exploded with photos and comments such as:
- “It looks like waves are crashing in the sky.”
- “I’ve never seen clouds like this in my life.”
- “It feels like something is about to happen.”
- “It looks like Hallasan just exploded.”
- “Are aliens invading?”
The KMA issued strong wind advisories for the western coast and heavy rain alerts for Jeju’s mountainous regions. The agency warned of:
- Rainfall at 10–20 mm per hour,
- Possible hailstorms,
- And dangerous gusts of wind, advising extra caution for crops, outdoor facilities, and safety.
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| Asperitas clouds on Jeju sky on May 5th. |
May 5 – Asperitas Clouds Shock Jeju Island
On Children’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday (May 5), the skies over Jeju Island displayed an even more stunning version of the phenomenon. The wave-like clouds appeared to ripple like ocean surf, drawing awe-struck reactions from locals and tourists.
- Some compared the scene to a volcanic eruption at Mount Hallasan, while others joked about an alien invasion.
- The clouds formed due to upper cold air clashing with warmer lower layers, triggered by a low-pressure system passing south of Jeju.
- The result: scattered showers and unstable weather across Jeju, with more rain forecast through May 6.
Why Asperitas Clouds Are Going Viral
- Rare and visually stunning: These clouds are seldom seen and create breathtaking visuals.
- Emotional reactions online: From awe to anxiety, people are captivated by the surreal beauty.
- Happened on major holidays: With families and tourists already outside, photos and videos spread quickly.
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| 'Devil clouds' appear on Jeju sky on May 5th |
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"어린이 날이자 부처님 오신 날인 5일 제주 하늘에 파도가 치는 듯한 특이한 모양의 구름이 나타났다. 찬 공기와 따뜻한 공기의 충돌로 대기가 불안정해지면서 만들어진 것으로 추정된다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 어린이 날 (eo-ri-ni nal) – Children’s Day (May 5th in Korea)
- 부처님 오신 날 (bu-cheo-nim o-sin nal) – Buddha’s Birthday
- 특이한 (teuk-i-han) – unusual / unique / peculiar
- 모양 (mo-yang) – shape / form
- 구름 (gu-reum) – cloud
- 파도가 치는 듯한 (pa-do-ga chi-neun deut-han) – wave-like / like waves crashing
- 찬 공기 (chan gong-gi) – cold air
- 따뜻한 공기 (tta-tteut-han gong-gi) – warm air
- 충돌 (chung-dol) – collision / clash
- 대기 (dae-gi) – atmosphere / air
- 불안정해지다 (bul-an-jeong-hae-ji-da) – to become unstable
- 추정되다 (chu-jeong-dwe-da) – to be presumed / to be estimated
Grammar Notes:
- ~이자 ~인 → 어린이 날이자 부처님 오신 날인: Combines two identities or roles: "It is both Children’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday". The structure ~이자 ~인 is formal and common in writing or speeches.
- ~는 듯한 → 파도가 치는 듯한: "Like / as if" something is happening – used to describe appearances.
- ~면서 → 불안정해지면서: Indicates simultaneous actions or causes: "as it becomes unstable..."
- ~으로 추정되다: Passive structure meaning "it is presumed to be due to ~"
Translation:
"On May 5th, which is both Children’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday, wave-like, unusually shaped clouds appeared in the sky over Jeju. It is presumed that they formed due to atmospheric instability caused by the collision between cold and warm air."
🔍 Keywords
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