10 Stunning Lenticular Cloud Formations
If you believe that UFOs exist, these cloud formations just might make you reconsider.
A cloud is a collection of billions of droplets of water or ice. These droplets are so tiny and light that they can float in the air. Clouds are formed through three processes: evaporation, cooling and condensation.
Clouds are vital to human kind. They carry water that falls on the ground either as rain or ice/snow which support all forms of life. Sometimes when it brings tornadoes it can wreak havoc to communities.
There are ten main cloud types and their name tells how they look and what their altitude is. Altocumulus is a high heap cloud. Cirrus clouds are the highest and stratus are the lowest in altitude. Cumulonimbus clouds are the biggest reaching up to 9.7 km (6 mi) above ground and can hold up to half a million tons of water. Clouds are further classified into 13 sub types and one of the most distinguished is the lenticularis.
Lenticular clouds are very unique type of clouds caused by a wave wind pattern created by mountains. These high altitude stationary-looking clouds are normally aligned at right angles to the direction of the wind. When a current of moist air is pushed upwards as it moves over a mountain, moisture in the air condenses and forms these clouds. They seem to keep their shape for hours since winds constantly blow over the mountain thus continually renewing the cloud forms.
Because of their lens appearance and smooth saucer-like shape, the clouds have been mistaken as flying saucers. Sometimes they can also look like a giant beret or a stack of pancakes or dinner plates.
While power pilots tend to avoid getting near these clouds because of the turbulence that accompany them, gliders actively seek them out as it provides a possibility to gain altitude or fly long distances when soaring.
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21 Responses to “10 Stunning Lenticular Cloud Formations”
On March 27, 2009 at 8:13 am
yes stunning
On March 27, 2009 at 8:27 am
Cool stuff.
On March 27, 2009 at 8:58 am
It’s amazing how UFO-like these clouds look.
On March 27, 2009 at 9:25 am
cool article and great photos.
On March 27, 2009 at 9:44 am
Great article with amazing pics. Well done. I loved it!
On March 27, 2009 at 9:47 am
Look very stunning. It seemed true UFOs though.
On March 27, 2009 at 10:23 am
Awesome pics. Well done! Some are look-like UFO!
On March 27, 2009 at 11:13 am
beautiful…
On March 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm
you did it again JK! great photos and valuable info about them..
On March 27, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Great article. Love the photo’s.
On March 27, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Good article and photo. Well done, JK
On March 28, 2009 at 12:32 am
none of these are photoshoppped?
Great article. I love odd nature!
On March 28, 2009 at 2:41 am
i haven’t seen a cloud like that before! amazing! good work!
On March 28, 2009 at 5:18 am
Stunning photos and excellent article, I love the second one in particular.
On March 28, 2009 at 4:44 pm
cool clouds
On March 28, 2009 at 5:04 pm
great pics those are awsome good topic
On March 29, 2009 at 11:50 am
These cloud formations are so unique and beautiful. Why don’t we have them here? I have never seen anything like most of them in person.
On March 30, 2009 at 4:47 am
wow! amazing! hmmm… speechless!
On April 1, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Amazing and gorgeous! Nature is such a wonder.
On April 8, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Wow!!
On April 26, 2009 at 9:24 pm
My Word! I can’t believe those photographs. I’ve never seen clouds like that before.
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