article_snippet: Rarely seen in the UK, lenticular clouds are formed when a tall geographic feature, such as the the top of a mountain, obstructs a strong wind.
article_snippet: The interruption in airflow creates a wind wave pattern in the atmosphere on one side of a mountain and at the top of these waves, moisture in the air condenses and forms a cloud. 
article_snippet: As air moves down into the trough of these waves the water evaporates again, leaving behind clouds in a characteristic lenticular shape.
article_snippet: These lenticular clouds, also known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, are hardly ever seen in British skies .
article_snippet: These lenticular clouds, also known as altocumulus standing lenticularis form when wind blows over high ground and then undulates down in a stream of waves creating a rippled effect as the air cools .
article_snippet: How The clouds form: The clouds occur when the air meets obstructions such as mountains and The clouds thickness creates incredible contrasts of light .
article_snippet: Pilots of powered aircraft tend to avoid flying near lenticular clouds because of the turbulence of the rotor systems that accompany Pilots of powered aircraft .
highlights_snippet: Extraordinary lens shapes are exceptionally rare lenticular clouds and are also known as wave clouds .
  