Lenticuluar cloud

Some phenomena observed and experienced in Antarctica can contradict familiar expectations.

As high winds are raging, a lenticular cloud can appear motionless over the mountain, Big Ben, on Heard Island.

A lenticular cloud

…differs from other clouds in that the form remains stationary although winds of high velocity are blowing through it. This is because water vapour condenses on the windwards side of the cloud and the mist droplets travel to the leeward side where they evaporate at the cloud edge and travel on in the form of invisible vapour once more. (Law & Bechervaise, 1957; 111)

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Posted on Wednesday, December 24th, 2008