Lenticular Cloud
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:11 pm
Wikipedia: "Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) are stationary lens-shaped clouds
that form at high altitudes, normally aligned perpendicular to the wind direction.
Lenticular clouds can be separated into altocumulus standing lenticularis (ACSL)
stratocumulus standing lenticular (SCSL), and cirrocumulus standing lenticular (CCSL).
Due to their shape, they have been offered as an explanation for some Unidentified
Flying Object (UFO) sightings.
Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of
large-scale standing waves may form on the downwind side. If the temperature at the
crest of the wave drops to the dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form
lenticular clouds. As the moist air moves back down into the trough of the wave, the
cloud may evaporate back into vapor. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular
clouds can form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as
a "wave cloud." The wave systems cause large vertical air movements and so enough
water vapor may condense to produce precipitation."
These beautiful cloud formations are rare, and even more rarely do they materialize
in what one would describe as a photogenic moment.
While out on a trip a while back there was a big monsoonal wave from the south
converging with a system coming in from the west that had potential for producing
some of these cloud formations and luckily one did though only lasting a few minutes
before torn apart by the wind sheer.
This is a stunning 30" x 60" b&w panorama, titled " Lenticular by Moonlight ".
http://wildernessapertures.com/img/s10/ ... 0221-6.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
that form at high altitudes, normally aligned perpendicular to the wind direction.
Lenticular clouds can be separated into altocumulus standing lenticularis (ACSL)
stratocumulus standing lenticular (SCSL), and cirrocumulus standing lenticular (CCSL).
Due to their shape, they have been offered as an explanation for some Unidentified
Flying Object (UFO) sightings.
Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of
large-scale standing waves may form on the downwind side. If the temperature at the
crest of the wave drops to the dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form
lenticular clouds. As the moist air moves back down into the trough of the wave, the
cloud may evaporate back into vapor. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular
clouds can form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as
a "wave cloud." The wave systems cause large vertical air movements and so enough
water vapor may condense to produce precipitation."
These beautiful cloud formations are rare, and even more rarely do they materialize
in what one would describe as a photogenic moment.
While out on a trip a while back there was a big monsoonal wave from the south
converging with a system coming in from the west that had potential for producing
some of these cloud formations and luckily one did though only lasting a few minutes
before torn apart by the wind sheer.
This is a stunning 30" x 60" b&w panorama, titled " Lenticular by Moonlight ".
http://wildernessapertures.com/img/s10/ ... 0221-6.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks
Try it now Mike, please.