Is it UFO or Altocumulus Lenticularis?

Štěpán Šubík

Altocumulus lenticularis is a lens-shaped cloud that forms in mountains or hilly areas. It is created just like Stratocumulus lenticularis. When moist air rises up, a cloud is created due to lowering the pressure and thus condensation of the moist air into droplets. And when this process is creating the cloud, surrounding hills or mountains can affect its shape and lenticular cloud type is created.

Photo: Marc Veraart;
desc: Altocumulus lenticularis cloud type classification.;
link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcveraart/4723153673/;
licence: cc;

Unlike Stratocumulus lenticularis, Altocumulus lenticularis is not connected with any precipitation except virga and it looks smaller because of its distance.

Photo: JotaCartas;
desc: Altocumulus lenticularis cloud type classification.;
link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lenticular_clouds_(Altocumulus_lenticularis)_(30368465690).jpg;
licence: cc;

In conclusion, Altocumulus lenticularis has a very special shape. It is also the most common cloud species mistaken for UFO. It can be roundish and it can have sharp edges so in some light from some ankle it looks just like UFO.

Photo: NOAA Photo Library;
desc: Altocumulus-lenticularis-cloud-type-classification.;
link: https://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/wea00010.htm;
licence: cc;

Have you ever seen this wonder in the sky? Send your photos!

Photo: Mike Lewinski;
desc: Altocumulus lenticularis cloud type classification.;
link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ikewinski/8692246016;
licence: cc;

Photo: Walter Baxter;
desc: Altocumulus lenticularis cloud type classification.;
link: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3549467;
licence: cc;

Syed Zahir

Mind blowing natural phenomena !!!