Lenticular Cloud over Turin, Italy
July 16, 2021
Photographer: Piero Armando
Summary Authors: Piero Armando; Jim Foster
These peculiar looking clouds (at top) appeared over Turin, Italy, during the evening of May 7, 2021. Known as lenticular clouds (altocumulus lenticularis), they tend to occur along the lee slopes of mountain ranges when stable air is lifted and begins to undulate. If moisture is available aloft, lens-shaped or saucer-shaped clouds will form in the flattened crests of the waves. It’s here that the air current is coolest, thus promoting condensation.
Photo details: Canon EOS 600D camera; 1/320 second exposure; F/7.1; 70 mm focal length; ISO 100.