Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Lenticular clouds - "Flying saucers" over Wales

15:00
15 January 2026

Lenticular clouds
"Flying saucers" over Wales

1/5

They look like floating UFOs or macarons in the sky: lenticular clouds are among the most striking cloud formations of all. Lately, they have been visible over Wales.

Meteorologically, they are called altocumulus lenticularis and are typical föhn clouds. These clouds form when moist air flows over mountains or hilly terrain. The air is lifted, cools down, and the excess water vapour condenses. The result is these characteristic clouds.

Particularly awe-inspiring

Lenticular clouds can remain virtually motionless in the sky for many hours. This is because they are constantly reforming as air flows through them – similar to water in a standing wave.

These fascinating clouds can also be seen occasionally in the Alps and generally over low mountain ranges.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Turbulent conditions in southern Europe. Severe thunderstorms. . . Monday, 24 August 2026
Weather map shows a risk of severe weather in parts of France and Italy, amongst other places
Monday, 24 August 2026

Severe thunderstorms

Turbulent conditions in southern Europe
Slow moving rain brings flooding. More alerts live. . . Thursday, 27 August 2026
Weather radar at 11:00 on 27.08 showing widespread heavy rain from Liverpool through the Midlands to eastern England, with an arrow indicating rain moving north.
Thursday, 27 August 2026

More alerts live

Slow moving rain brings flooding
Extreme heat in Italy. Up to 45 degrees. . . Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Split screen. On the left, a temperature map of Italy. On the right, a view of Taormina and Mount Etna
Wednesday, 26 August 2026

Up to 45 degrees

Extreme heat in Italy
All weather news
This might also interest you
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday, 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday, 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList