Lenticular cloud
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Lenticular clouds, technically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction.
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Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of large-scale standing waves may form on the downwind side. Lenticular clouds sometimes form at the crests of these waves.
Power pilots tend to avoid flying near lenticular clouds because of the turbulence of the rotor systems that accompany them, but sailplane pilots actively seek them out. This is because the systems of atmospheric standing waves that cause "lennies" (as they are sometimes familiarly called) also involve large vertical air movements, and the precise location of the rising air mass is fairly easy to predict from the orientation of the clouds. "Wave lift" of this kind is often very smooth and strong, and enables gliders to soar to remarkable altitudes. The current gliding world records for both distance and altitude were set using such lift.
Because these clouds have a characteristic lens appearance, or smooth saucer-like shape, they have been mistaken for UFOs (or "visual cover" for UFOs).
In the USA, lenticular clouds are relatively rare, but have been observed over the White Mountains of New Hampshire, over Mount Rainier, Washington, in the Rockies, and less often in Hawaii.
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