No, that's not a UFO.
If you've ever looked up in the mountains and spotted a perfectly smooth, lens-shaped cloud hovering over a peak, you've probably seen a lenticular cloud.
These clouds form when strong winds blow across a mountain range. As the air is forced up and over the mountains, it creates invisible atmospheric waves—much like ripples in a river flowing over a rock.
At the crest of these waves, the air cools enough for moisture to condense into a cloud. As the air sinks again, it warms and the cloud disappears. Although the cloud looks completely stationary, the air is constantly moving through it. New droplets are forming on one side while evaporating on the other.
The result? One of nature's most spectacular clouds.
What does it mean for hikers and climbers?
A lenticular cloud is one of the best visual clues that strong winds exist high in the mountains—even if it's calm where you're standing. Ridge tops may be experiencing powerful gusts, making travel more difficult and affecting helicopter operations.
If you see a lenticular cloud over the Coast Mountains, don't panic—but do recognize that the alpine is likely much windier than it appears from below.
Take a look at Garibaldi this morning - Can you identify the lenticular cloud, banner cloud, rotor cloud, and tell which direction the wind is blowing from?
The best mountain travelers don't just watch the trail.
They watch the sky.
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