What kind of weather do lenticular clouds bring?

What kind of weather do lenticular clouds bring?

Characterized for their “lens” shape and seemingly stable, motionless appearance. From a forecast perspective they indicate a strong flow of wind aloft, and will typically bring a downsloping wind to the Front Range and a big temperature boost.

What type of cloud is a lenticular cloud?

These lens-shaped orographic wave clouds form when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere.

Do lenticular clouds produce snow?

There is no significant weather produced by a lenticular, but their presence often foretells snow in the next 24-48 hours. A lenticular cloud is a good “forecast indicator” as tall mountains accentuate incoming high-level moisture well ahead of an approaching front.

What causes lenticular?

A lenticular cloud is a lens-shaped cloud that normally develops on the downwind side of a mountain or mountain range. This occurs when stable, moist air flows over a mountain, creating a series of oscillating waves.

Do lenticular clouds produce precipitation?

Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds may form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as a “wave cloud”. These wave systems can produce large updrafts, occasionally enough for water vapour to condense and produce precipitation.

What is lenticular opacity?

lenticular cataract opacity of the lens not affecting the capsule. mature cataract a cataract that produces swelling and opacity of the entire lens; cataracts are removed before maturity.

How are lenticular clouds formed on the ground?

Lenticular clouds are a visible sign of mountain waves in the air. However, these waves can be present beyond the clouds, and may exist even when no clouds are formed. On the ground, they can result in very strong gusty winds in one place, with still air only a few hundred metres away.

When do lens shaped orographic wave clouds form?

Lenticular clouds. These lens-shaped orographic wave clouds form when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere.

Why are lenticular clouds often mistaken for UFOs?

Lenticular clouds have been mistaken for UFOs (or “visual cover” for UFOs), particularly in the shape of a “flying saucer”, because these clouds have a characteristic lens appearance and smooth saucer-like shape; also, because lenticular clouds generally do not form over low-lying or flat terrain,…

What kind of clouds form in the lower stratosphere?

Nacreous clouds that form in the lower stratosphere sometimes have lenticular shapes. There are three main types of lenticular clouds: altocumulus standing lenticular (ACSL), stratocumulus standing lenticular (SCSL), and cirrocumulus standing lenticular (CCSL), varying in altitude above the ground.