Noctilucent Clouds

Fire Weather Concerns in the Northern and Central Plains; Severe Thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest

Dry and breezy conditions will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions across portions of the northern and central High Plains through Saturday, where fuels remain largely receptive. Severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of central Nebraska to the Upper Midwest this afternoon into tonight. Read More >

Noctilucent Clouds

On the morning of October 28^th,rare noctilucent clouds were visible over Monterey. Noctilucent clouds are thin silvery-blue cirrus-like clouds frequently seen during summer twilight conditions at high latitudes (above 50°) in both hemispheres. These clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals at heights 50-70 miles above the earth's surface. (source) However, the clouds seen this morning were formed by the launch of the NPOESS Preparatory Project spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Below are two images of the noctilucent clouds.