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M$1 February 03, 2009 10:55 PM

What is a Lenticular cloud?

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February 03, 2009 11:34 PM
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/cloud.html/
"Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped clouds that can result from strong wind flow over rugged terrain. At the time of this photo, the winds were blowing around 30-40 mph from right to left, forming several lenticular clouds. Sometimes they stack up like pancakes in multiple layers as are several depicted in this first photo. The strong flow produces a distinct up and down wavelike pattern on the lee side of the mountain or large hill and the lenticular clouds tend to form at the peaks of these waves. They sometimes are very round and the edges are so well defined that they resemble flying saucers. This close up sequence shows a large lenticular cloud at various stages of illumination as the sun moved lower on the horizon and lit the cloud from below. Another lenticular cloud can be seen in the background of the last frame of the sequence. These photos were taken on January 25, 1999 in Plymouth, NH, by James D. Rufo, a Plymouth State meteorology graduate. Mrs. Lorraine Brown of Bristol NH captured this same cloud formation from about 20-25 miles further away in these pictures. Lenticular clouds are often placed into the middle cloud category since they are most common at those altitudes. Plymouth State meteorology graduate, Jay Shafer, has also provided some stunning additional lenticular pictures taken around the White Mountain region of New Hampshire."
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/cloud.html/len03.jpg


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February 03, 2009 11:01 PM
They are beautiful aren't they. Follow the link to wiki
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_cloud


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February 03, 2009 11:42 PM
Also called wave-clouds, the word lenticular is derived from the lens-like shape; convex on top to form (in perfect clouds) a symmetrical flying-saucer, such that people inclined to that sort of thing often mistake them for alien space-ships. They form on the leeward side of mountain ranges, and occasionally in long chains.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_cloud


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February 04, 2009 12:39 AM
Lenticular clouds are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction. Lenticular clouds can be separated into altocumulus standing lenticularis (ACSL), stratocumulus standing lenticular (SCSL), and cirrocumulus standing lenticular (CCSL).
Source(s):
Love_January18@yahoo.com


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