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A Cloudspotter's Paradise...

Ian Fergusson | 11:51 UK time, Friday, 23 October 2009

If you found yourself in clear conditions either side of Thursday's frequent downpours, someÌýimpressive skyscapes were on offer.

ManyÌýappeared courtesy of dramatic Cumulonimbus clouds, towering right up to the above parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.

I managed to snap this beauty whileÌýsolidly stuck in a lengthy jam on the M32 at Fishponds, heading out of BristolÌýfrom work at around 4.30pm.

And what a corker of a cloud it was, too.

Cumulonimbus incus (Photo: Ian Fergusson)

A mature thunderstorm - Cumulonimbus incus - seen from Fishponds, Bristol, 22 October 2009. Notice the pouch-like mammatus clouds visible at centre, directly above the church.

This Ìýhad reached a , complete withÌýa spectacular plume-like anvil, formed entirely of ice crystals,Ìýbeing swept away farÌýto the northwestÌýby the winds aloft.

The storm was located out east over Wiltshire, giving localised downpours thereÌýand a flash or two of lightning. As well as some mildly annoying reflections (no, they're not UFO's), my photo showsÌýdistinctive clouds billowing down from the underside of the anvil, signifying where cold air - having been carried high in vertical -Ìýwas now sinking from this massive cloud's outflow.

If youÌýtook any similar shots of yesterday's showers and storms, do send them in to meÌý- I'll put some here on the blog.

UPDATE Saturday 24 October - YOUR PHOTOS:

Paul Hayers sent meÌýthis excellent photo of the same storm (below), seen at a closer distance from his home in Kingswood. "It looked like marshmallows dropping out of the cloud," says Paul, describing the mammatus formation very evident in his picture...

mammatus_paul_hayers.jpg

Tom Hughes watched the storm from Wick, located out on the A420 east of Bristol: "I must admit, I'm a weather nut and am always looking for interesting weather," he tells me. Glad I'm not the only one, Tom! Thanks for your close-up photoÌýof the mammatus (below). The storm must have loomed impressively at your location...

mammatus_tom_hughes.jpg

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