Lenticular Clouds Stun Observers in Cape Town

Stunning clouds in the shape of pancakes or better yet, “UFOs”, formed over Cape Town this past Sunday. These phenomena, known as lenticular clouds, bewildered onlookers in South Africa and sent many people wondering why the sky looked the way it did.

These clouds look like Cape Town is about to be attacked by aliens https://t.co/eoE2st70O3 pic.twitter.com/FW9tMkKAFo

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) November 11, 2015

So what are lenticular clouds anyway? Lenticular clouds develops in stable environments when fast-moving air flows over a mountain that is oriented perpendicular to the prevailing winds (NOAA). A gravity wave forms on the downwind or leeward side of the topographic barrier, and if the temperature of the air cools enough to condensate the moisture in it, lenticular clouds may form (Capital Weather Gang).

Since lenticular clouds are uncommon, many people are confused the first time they see them. Check out some pictures and even a video of these clouds captured this past weekend in Cape Town.

Freakish #LenticularClouds hover like #UFOs over South Africa https://t.co/ViqasFowxL pic.twitter.com/ERbcmIzZzK

— AmericasMostHaunted (@amhaunted) November 10, 2015

Beautiful photo I took yesterday of the Lenticular clouds in Cape Town. @eNCAWeather pic.twitter.com/0EAdXoECqA — Annette Venter (@venter_annette) November 9, 2015

Here’s a link to the timelapse video: Simon Bloomer.