Flying Saucer?

Looking through old photos again, I recall this was my thrilling first actual sighting of a lenticular cloud phenomenon. I believe it’s Mt. Rainier in Washington state, but it really does resemble alien spacecraft or could belong on an episode of Lost in Space, right?

Some other nicknames for lenticular clouds include “cloudships,” “clouds of heaven,” and “lennies.” They also have a fancy scientific name: Altocumulus lenticularis.

“Danger, Will Robinson!” Maybe the Robinson family stayed away long enough and they’re on their way back to planet Earth. The entire landscape looks otherworldly.

Although there is no significant weather produced by a lenticular, their presence often foretells snow in the next 24–48 hours. Regardless, they’re a good warning sign of an approaching weather front and sometimes a big snowstorm.

Whether it’s Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker, it’s absolutely spectacular!