A strange cloud formation spotted near Mt Taranaki on Thursday got people pulling out their cameras to capture the spectacular sight.

Appearing above the west of Taranaki, the huge conical shaped cloud formed in the evening and made for some eye-catching scenery as it caught the rays of the descending sun.

It also became a popular talking point among sky-gazers on social media who wondered how the cloud came to be.

Cate Duff Cate Duff took this picture from Warea.

Metservice forecaster Cameron Coutts said the odd fluffy creation was an altocumulus lenticularis, or a stationary cloud formed in the troposphere.

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The cloud is created by the wind waves bouncing over the mountain, he said.

Jody Brogden Jody Brogden's picture of the cloud.

"Basically it's a wave cloud formed by the wind going over the top of...in this case Mt Taranaki."

Where the wave rises cloud forms, if there is enough moisture at that level, and the cloud dissipates where the waves descend, he said.

Coutts said the cloud was not uncommon and sometimes there were multiple formations.

Jill White Taken from Bayly Rd, Warea.

They were often seen across the country, especially in Canterbury and Wairarapa, Coutts said.

"Anywhere where there are ranges and have the right conditions - a reasonable amount of wind and moisture."

"When they're enhanced by the light it makes them quite spectacular."

Staci Mark Holmes The well-talked about cloud captured from Oaonui.

Madison Smyth Blackjack the horse looks on from Warea at the strange cloud formation.

Blair Jury The fiery cloud as seen from Okato.