Layered Lenticular Clouds Over Glacier National Park

October 19, 2017

WaveCloud alt (1)

Photographer: Linda Masters 
Summary Authors: Linda Masters; Jim Foster
 
Shown above are eye-catching lenticular clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) photographed at the Summit Mountain Lodge near East Glacier, Montana. I observed these stationary wave clouds one evening last spring from the cabin where we were staying. They form in stable air in lee waves over mountainous terrain, typically at right angles to the wind flow. If sufficient moisture is available at the height where they take shape, as was the case this evening, and if the airflow is strong, cloud layers will begin to stack upon one another at the wave crests. Photo taken on May 14, 2017.
 
Photo Details: Camera Model: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; Focal Length: 4.497mm; Aperture: ƒ/4.0; Exposure Time: 0.0016 s (1/640); ISO equiv: 160; Software: Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384.