A lenticular cloud in the sky of the Beille plateau, in Ariège, on January 16, 2021. -
Météo Pyrénées
For lack of ski lifts, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are a hit this winter.
On Saturday, many visitors to the Nordic resort of the Beille plateau, in Ariège, were able to witness a magnificent spectacle: a lenticular cloud resembling a huge UFO was invited to the horizon, above the snow-capped peaks. .
👽👽 they arrive 👽👽💥
At the Beille plateau today #lenticulaire #ariege #pyrenees 📷Lucie Fernandez Clervoix pic.twitter.com/XCvXotuXIa
- Météo Pyrénées (@Meteo_Pyrenees) January 16, 2021
"The lenticular should be located far away, on the Spanish side," says one on the side of the Météo Pyrénées association, very active on social networks where it shared the splendid picture taken by an Internet user.
This type of cloud is quite common in the Pyrenees.
They are also seen a lot in the fall.
But not all of them have such a perfect shape.
"
But in fact, how does
Altocumulus lenticularis
, its scientific name, come into being?
As is often the case with weather phenomena, the explanation, coupled with an "esoteric" vocabulary, may seem complex for a Boeotian.
Wind, terrain and humid air
“The most important thing is the wind factor compared to a relief but also the humidity at medium altitude, summarizes the meteorological association.
This lenticular was sculpted by a north wind on the border ridges and a stable air mass on the Spanish side.
Nothing supernatural then.
No need to put the Geipan investigators on the spot.
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