Lenticular Cloud Over Sarmiento, Argentina

September 24, 2018

Lenticular_Hector(2)

September 2018 Viewer's ChoicePhotographer: Hector Garrido
Summary Author: Hector Garrido; Jim Foster

I couldn't help but notice this eye-catching lenticular cloud as I was driving through the windy plains of Patagonia one afternoon earlier this year. I pulled over near a meadow to snap the picture. Lenticular clouds take shape in the crests of atmospheric waves that form when strong winds aloft move over elevated terrain, in this case, the Andes Mountains. They're most often observed on the lee side of mountain ranges. If sufficient moisture is available in the wave crest and if the wave amplitude increases, layers of clouds are sometimes stacked upon one another. Photo taken on March 3, 2018.

Photo Details: Nikon D7100 camera;19 mm focal length; 1/1000 sec. exposure; f/9 aperture; ISO 320.