‘Want to see a special cloud?’

Lenticular cloud over K2 Mountain in Pakistan
Lenticular cloud – Can you guess this place?

These clouds are a special type of clouds they mostly occur over the mountainous regions as they need the perfect conditions to form, lenticular clouds form at high altitude between 6,000 to 12,000 meter mostly near or over mountains as the stable moisture laden air flows rapidly over rise in elevation, causing condensation. Afterwards the warm air forms a wavy pattern resulting in a wave cloud. The meteorological name of lenticular cloud is ‘Altocumulus lenticularis’. They are indeed a stunning meteorological phenomenon!

Mistaken for UFOs !

Lenticular clouds over K2 mountain in Pakistan
Lenticular clouds over K2 mountain in Pakistan

Some people have mistaken them for Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) as these clouds are similar to the Alien spaceship portrayed in the Hollywood films.

Apart from UFOs, they also resemble pancakes or even plates – depending upon the thinking of a person.

Visible in Pakistan?

Lenticular clouds can be easily differentiated due to their unique look, since they form between 6,000 to 12,000 metre, they are visible in the extreme northern areas of the country along the Himalayan and the Hindu Kush ranges (both are above 7,000 meter)!


29 responses to “Lenticular Clouds and the skies of Pakistan!”

  1. Kashif Ilyas Avatar
    Kashif Ilyas

    very informative. Keep the good work continues Babar. Any new update for next pre-moonsoon / moonsoon reaching pakistan

    1. PWP Avatar

      Thank you :D
      Monsoon moisture is reaching the northern areas of the country while western winds too have started attracting moisture, rain can occur in the north this week.

  2. QAVI Avatar
    QAVI

    shower in korangi………….

    1. PWP Avatar

      Yes, drizzle occurred in defence as well.

  3. Waseem Ahmed Avatar
    Waseem Ahmed

    Superb and quite informative article

    1. PWP Avatar

      Thank you :D

  4. Muhammad IMTIAZ Avatar
    Muhammad IMTIAZ

    Babar bhai Is there any chances of Monsoon rain in risalpur in this week? Extreme Hot weather conditions are prevailing during last three to four days In Risalpur.

    1. PWP Avatar

      Temperatures have been high due to dry air, the good news is that there are chances of rain this week in Risalpur.

  5. Sardar Ahmad Jibril Lutfi Avatar
    Sardar Ahmad Jibril Lutfi

    nice

    1. PWP Avatar

      Thank you :)

  6. arif Avatar
    arif

    is there are chances of rain in multan during this week?

    1. PWP Avatar

      Not yet, monsoon progress is also…

  7. Shahid Avatar
    Shahid

    Swabi may monsoon rain kab hogi?

    1. PWP Avatar

      This week, rain could occur in Swabi.
      Thunderclouds have started forming over KPK.

  8. Shahid Avatar

    Swabi or kpk may ramzan k maheenay may rain kis had thak hogi.pwp

    1. PWP Avatar

      Would be soon updating once June ends. Right now focusing on the current rains. Since Ramadan is falling in July, PWP mentioned in Monsoon V that Early July can be near to normal after that it could be below normal.

      1. mysterio92 Avatar

        But this seasonal forecast issued by PMD http://www.pmd.gov.pk/SF2013.pdf says monsoon is likely to be normal during July to September!

      2. PWP Avatar

        Yes, it is not necessary that all weather site’s forecast should match with each other.

  9. Faizan Avatar
    Faizan

    When will sindh going to get good amount of rainfall? Any deadline?

    1. PWP Avatar

      ‘good amount of rain’ wont occur in June.

  10. arif Avatar
    arif

    when will multan going to get good amount of rainfall?

    1. PWP Avatar

      Passing clouds can occur with dusty winds, no major chances of rain.

  11. Faizan Avatar
    Faizan

    No, i mean in july or after somedays. are there good chances of rains in sindh?

    1. PWP Avatar

      As per various numerical model, no good chances of rain in Sindh in July till now.

  12. Shahid Avatar

    Monsoon rains normal or above normal this year in kpk?

    1. PWP Avatar

      Please see Monsoon V.

  13. Khan Avatar
    Khan

    plz say that Lenticular Clouds kyon kaise ban jate hain mountains pe or mountain’s peak pe plz tell

    1. PWP Avatar

      Its written in the article.

Leave a comment