SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS: Increase In Weird Weather Phenomenon As Magnetic Polar Migration Escalates - Spectacular Mammatus Clouds And Fiery Red Skies Photographed Over Santos Brazil! [PHOTOS + VIDEO]

I loved the late afternoon. © Meire Ruiz

March 7, 2016 - SANTOS, BRAZIL - These stunningly spectacular fiery red mammatus clouds engulfed the sunset skies of Santos, Brazil during the months of February and March.

The photos were taken by Meire Ruiz and posted on her Facebook page. 

Mammatus are pouch-like clouds that protrude down from the bottom of a thunderstorm's anvil cloud.

The storm's anvil consists of ice crystals but, as it spreads out at the top of a thunderstorm, some of the ice begins falling and cools the clear air below.

Despite popular misconception, mammatus clouds usually are an indication severe weather has passed and thunderstorms are weakening.

They are not a sign that a tornado is about to form.

However, mammatus clouds sometimes form on the upwind, or backside, of severe thunderstorms that at the same time are dropping large hail and unleashing 60-70 mph bursts of wind.

Raining fire in the north to sunset in the west. Last rays of sun coloring the rainwater. © Meire Ruiz

Sunset creating these wonderful landscapes. © Meire Ruiz

A small group and mammatus cloud. © Meire Ruiz

Good night. Another beautiful sunset. © Meire Ruiz

Good night. Another beautiful sunset. © Meire Ruiz

Storms have to have wicked updrafts of rising air, probably moving at 75-100 mph, to spread an anvil into the steering winds in the first place as a thunderstorm's anvil cloud naturally and easily spreads with the wind.

But, in most cases, mammatus can be found beneath the anvils of dying thunderstorms.

Here a good scientific article about the mysteries of mammatus clouds.


WATCH: Mindblowing cloud formations over Brazil.