Editing Lenticular cloud (section)

==Formation and appearance==
[[File:Mayon Volcano with cloudy hat.jpg|thumb|A lenticular cloud covers the summit crater of [[Mayon Volcano]], Philippines.]]

As air travels along the surface of the Earth, obstructions are often encountered, including natural features, such as mountains or hills, and artificial structures, such as buildings and other constructions, which disrupt the flow of air into "eddies", or areas of turbulence.

When moist, stable air flows over a larger eddy, such as those caused by mountains, a series of large-scale [[lee waves|standing waves]] form on the [[leeward]] side of the mountain. If the temperature at the crest of the wave drops below the [[dew point]], moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds may form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as a "[[wave cloud]]". Those wave systems can produce large [[updraft|updrafts]], occasionally enough for water vapour to condense and produce [[precipitation]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds| url=https://www.weather.gov/abq/features_acsl|website=National Weather Service |publisher=NOAA| access-date=9 March 2018}}</ref>

Lenticular clouds have been said to be mistaken for [[UFO|UFOs]], because many of them have the shape of a "flying saucer", with a characteristic "lens" or smooth, saucer-like shape. Lenticular clouds generally do not form over low-lying or flat terrain, so many people may have never seen one before and don't know that they can exist.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Byrd |first1=Deborah |title=Lenticular clouds look like UFOs| url=http://earthsky.org/earth/best-photos-beautiful-lenticular-clouds-around-the-world |website=EarthSky| date=19 January 2021 |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref>{{refn| group=nb| Lenticular clouds have also been known to form in cases where a mountain does not exist, but rather as the result of shear winds created by a front.}} Bright colours (called [[Cloud iridescence|iridescence]]) are sometimes seen along the edge of lenticular clouds.<ref>[http://www.atoptics.co.uk/droplets/irid1.htm Atmospheric Optics: Iridescent Clouds]</ref>