Those who have lived in Virginia for long enough know that when it comes to the weather, you should always expect the unexpected.

That rule of thumb became all-too relevant recently when an unbelievably rare cloud formation known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves appeared in the sky over Smith Mountain Lake. As you might imagine, weather conditions have to be just right for these wave-like clouds to appear. Take a look at the incredible photograph below and prepare to be amazed by the stunning perspective of a truly unique phenomenon.

Kelvin Helmholtz instability clouds form in the sky due to a difference in air density between layers. The effect is a beautiful display of feathery waves in the sky that can seemingly appear out of nowhere.
Zarifa / Getty Images
If you've never seen this phenomenon before, you're not alone. These wave-like formations don't appear often, and they're about as ephemeral as a wave breaking on the shoreline. Fortunately, one Virginia resident found herself in the right place at the right time.
Tess Dixon / flickr
It was approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th when Amy Hunter spotted this otherworldly phenomenon appear in the sky, and the effect was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Amy Hunter

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These rare clouds can often appear over mountain ranges due to the unique stratified air, but when they appear, they only tend to last about 10 minutes or so.
Virginia State Parks / flickr
While there's no guarantee that you'll spot Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves the next time you visit Smith Mountain Lake, you'll discover that there are plenty of other natural wonders to enjoy here.
El Diario De Una Expatriada / flickr
Visitors to the park can lounge on the man-made beach, exploring the network of hiking trails, or packing a picnic lunch to enjoy while marveling at the gorgeous scenery of Virginia's second-largest freshwater lake.
Virginia State Parks / flickr
You can even pitch your tent at the designated campground and extend your trip to an overnight adventure.
Virginia State Parks / flickr

What are your thoughts on this incredible spotting of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability clouds? Have you ever spotted them before? If so, we’d love to hear from you! For more information about planning a trip to Smith Mountain Lake, you can visit the official website by clicking here.

Address: 1235 Road 888, Huddleston, VA, 24104

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