When you purchase through data link on our site , we may earn an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it works .
Lenticular Clouds
This spectacular , multi - hued establishment of so - called lenticular cloud was honour over Rocky Mountain National Park , near Estes Park , Colo. Professional photographer Richard H. Hahn snapped the magnificent thought shortly after sunset at 5:02 p.m. MST ( 7:02 EST ) on Jan. 5.Lenticular cloudsform when waves of moist , fast - moving air are push upward by winds and come up over in high spirits mountains . At the slew ’s higher altitude , the moist air ’s water supply droplets nerveless and enlarge , and the water vaporisation condenses . When the air move over the mountain top and go down to uniformly humid melodic phrase conditions , lenticular swarm form . These clouds are characterise by their legato , symmetrical oval or round shape , and because of this , are often referred to as " flying saucer " or " UFO " clouds . “The significance of this finicky atmospherical event was the dramatic configuration and colour of the cloud . It really did look like the ' mother ship ' UFO , " Hahn told LiveScience.com . " It was ominous and breathtaking . "
Spooky UFO Clouds
Lenticular clouds , like the ones seen in Antarctica ( show here ) , are so smooth and pear-shaped that they ’re sometimes mistaken for UFOs . Like some other cloud formations , let in wafture clouds , lenticular clouds form because of the vagary of winds around tidy sum acme .
Shelf Cloud
Approaching thunderstorm with confidential information gust front . Rain - chill air from the storm be active out ahead of the storm . It ploughs under the affectionate moist tune form a flat " ledge cloud . "
Cloud Over the Desert
A localize rainstorm over the Arizona desert in 2008 .
Globular Mammatus
Globular mammatus cloud with microwave radar in foreground . Often associated with thunderstorms and severe weather .
More mammatus
Globular mammatus clouds . These clouds are often assort with thunderstorms and austere weather .
Mother-of-Pearl Clouds
Clouds over Estrange , Sweden in January , 2011 .
Thickness in the Air
Thick wave clouds are captured over Mt. Pisgah .
The Anvil
Towering cumulus . Mammatus clouds visible under the " anvil " .
Thunderstorms Form
Cumulonimbus ( Thunderstorm ) is shown forming in the background . Smaller low level " scudding " come along in foreground .
Tornado Next?
Lowering wall cloud under main thunderstorm updraft . crack will generally form in and ground the wall cloud .
