A Minnesota woman recently photographed an incredible ocean-like cloud formation in a now-viral photo.

Theresa Birgin Lucas of Bemidji was heading home on Highway 64 after a long week in Rochester when storm clouds began to form. In a Facebook post, she explained that her daughter was home and worried about her mother.

"She was freaking out and wanted to know how long I had until I got home so I took this pic and said 'I'm near Akeley'," she wrote.

According to information reported by the New York Post, she didn't even look at the photo until she got home and her daughter told her how cool she was.

She posted the photo on social media, where it immediately went viral. Ms Lucas said she had received messages from viewers around the world asking her about the stunning image.

Reactions on social media were mixed, with some wondering if the image had been airbrushed, while others marveled at the seascape in the sky.