Rare storm clouds named after udders or breasts have been spotted in UK, the Met Office has said.
The pendulous clouds are called Mammatus clouds, which the comes from the Latin mamma which translates to "udder" or "breast", says the national weather forecaster.
"Mammatus clouds are some of the most unusual and distinctive clouds formations with a series of bulges or pouches emerging from the base of a cloud.
"The shape of mammatus formations can vary widely; from the classic protruding shape, to a more elongated tube hanging from the cloud above," says the Met Office's website.
On Twitter, the Met Office said: "If you’ve had your eyes on the sky you might have spotted some mammatus cloud today.
"This is a stunning example from Germany but they’ve been seen in the UK too."
The Met Office says mammatus clouds "are usually formed in association with large cumulonimbus clouds".
"Typically, turbulence within the cumulonimbus cloud will cause mammatus to form, especially on the underside of the projecting anvil as it rapidly descends to lower levels," the weather experts explain on their website.
"This reverses the usual cloud-forming process of upward growth, making for an uneven cloud base.
"Mammatus often forms in association with Cumulonimbus clouds, which in turn bring thunderstorms due to their huge mass of unstable air.
"Mammatus cloud generally form in the most unstable cumulonimbus, meaning that there is also a chance of hail, heavy rain and lightning in the vicinity, and if the air is cold enough during winter they can produce snow. Sometimes mammatus may form on other cloud types which produce no rain, though this is far less common.
"Mammatus comes from the Latin mamma which translates to "udder" or "breast". Their striking appearance is most visible when the sun is low in the sky and their pouches are framed by the sunlight. This supplementary feature is a firm favourite with many meteorologists as well as cloud and photography enthusiasts."
