What are Lenticular Clouds?
Lenticular clouds are the “flying saucer” clouds which seem to occur when air conditions at lower levels become calmer, while, at higher levels, wind speeds remain higher. The tops of (usually) cumulus clouds are separated and smoothed by the higher winds and form “squadrons” of flying saucers. When this occurs in late evening, when the sun is low or even below the horizon, the undersides of these clouds appear to be lit up – hence their mis-identification by the inebriated or short-sighted as UFO’s, especially as they can seem to move quite quickly in otherwise calm conditions. Because they occur in clusters of small clouds, they take their name from “lenticles” (freckles).
