Lenticular Clouds Over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field

March 29, 2017

Cerro_Lenticular_27012017-IMG_5229 (3)

Photographer: David Linares
Summary Authors: David Linares; Jim Foster

March 2017 Viewer's ChoiceShown above is a display of lenticular clouds observed on the footpath to Cerro Torre near the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Santa Cruz, Argentina. When moisture-laden air is forced to rise over topographic barriers atmospheric waves often form. Smooth, lens-shaped clouds will sometimes take shape on the lee side of the barriers, in the crest of the atmospheric wave. Since lenticulars (Altocumulus lenticularis) typically form in stationary air currents within the wave, they may remain in almost the same position for hours before dissipating. Photo taken on January 27, 2017.

Photo Details: Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T4i camera; f/13; 1/1600 sec. exposure; ISO 400; 55 mm focal length; Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7.