One of the things I love about going for a walk and observing nature as I go, is that I’m never sure what I’m going to see. I’m often delighted to a see a bird of prey hunting, an unusual insect or a rare plant. Today, however, my interest was piqued by an altogether different aspect of nature.
While out for a walk, buffeted by strong south-westerlies, I noticed an uncommon cloud type high in the sky. Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus Lenticularis) are often described as lens-shaped or saucer-shaped and are more commonly associated with high mountains than the dales of northern England.
I’ve seen this type of cloud a few times before in other parts of the world and having read a few books on meteorology, I remembered that Lenticular clouds form due to standing waves. These waves with their associated clouds are created in stable, moist airflow as it passes over high-ground.
Indeed, looking west towards Cross Fell and south-west towards Tan Hill, I saw there was a large, moody-looking bank of cloud but after the airflow cleared this high-ground, the sky in its lee was fairly clear apart from the Lenticular clouds that were forming over the area I was walking within.
They are quite a strange sight and I can understand why people have mistaken them for UFOs in the past. Tonight I did a quick Google search to see how common these clouds actually are in northern England (not very it seems) and came across this gallery of photos taken in West Yorkshire just today:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16302606
Did you see these clouds today or have you seen them while out and about on previous occasions?
Let us know in the comments.
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Austin Lill
Lenticular clouds? Have to hold my hand up and say that I’ve never heard of them. The more you learn, the more you realise you have to learn! Great pic BTW.
Paul Kirtley
Thanks Austin. I don’t think you ever stop learning. 🙂
Alex Barrett
I had been meaning to look these cloud formations up a couple of weeks ago, having seen the phenomena up here in the far north of Scotland for the first time (for me anyway), near the coast too, not in the mountains.
An interesting stumble here, which makes me wonder if it indicates anything about climate or weather patterns. I shall try to remember to investigate further. Thanks for reminding me.
Paul Kirtley
Hi Alex
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad I was able to act as a useful memory jogger.
Interesting to know that you’ve seen similar recently too.
Do let us know if you find out anything further during your investigations.
All the best,
Paul
Will
Saw them here in Wakefield from 10am in the kitchen. Was a strange thing to see and with the clouds hard to photograph from my location.
But as it was the first time seeing them it did make a nice day watching the weather.
Paul Kirtley
Hi Will, glad you also got to see them.