AT first glance these clouds convey a chilling sight as they resemble a nuclear blast.

Distinct in shape and taking on an eerie formation, they were spotted over part of Exeter.

The cumulus, made up of a central plume cascading into a mushroom-shaped canopy, were captured by Richard Raczynski-Floyd on his iPhone in Exwick.

He was out walking across fields near the river with his partner and their pet dog when he spotted the strange cloud formation.

Richard, who manages a wine bar in the city, said the shape added to the crazy weather pattern of a damp and rainy July.

"My partner and I were walking the dog and saw the aftermath but didn't hear the explosion!

"There was a glow of the fading sun underneath the clouds. The sunburst was coming through and the shape was just like a nuclear explosion you see in films.

"I hope Echo readers find the image I took as amusing as we did."

The picture was shown by the Echo to experts at the Met Office in Exeter.

A spokesman said: "It appears to show two types of cloud — cumulus that has developed and towers behind a layer of stratocumulus.

"This combination of clouds is actually fairly common at any time of the year and can occur over any part of the country.

"The angle of the evening sun and position of the photographer clearly highlights the contours of some of the clouds."

Cumulus are clouds heaped on each other while stratocumulus are a continuous horizontal sheet of cloud.

The clouds were spotted during the recent heavy downpours.

But the worst of the recent wet weather is now believed to have passed.

The Met Office is predicting a largely dry and warm spell.

Today will be cloudy although no rain is predicted and there will be sunny spells.

It will continue to be warm, with temperatures of around 21C (70F).

The rest of the week is likely to continue in the same way.

Thursday is likely to remain dry and warm but cloudy.

On Friday there is a chance of showers but it will continue to be warm with temperatures of around 21C (71F).

If you have taken a newsworthy picture email it to eephotos@expressandecho. co.uk and please include your telephone number.