Linticular cloud over St. George, Utah, Jan. 4, 2015 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A strange cloud formation hovering over St. George Sunday afternoon raised the curiosity of many.

According to the National Weather Service, this type of cloud is known as an altocumulus standing lenticular cloud, and usually forms during winter and spring months.

A lenticular cloud occurs when, the NWS states, relatively stable, fast moving air is forced up-and-over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-level wind is blowing. This deflection creates a gravity wave downwind of the topographic barrier not unlike a wave you might generate by throwing a pebble into a pond. When sufficient moisture is present above mountain-top level, lenticular clouds develop within the crest of these mountain waves where the air is rising.

These types of clouds don’t usually form in desert areas because of the dry weather, but because of recent moisture in Southern Utah, the lenticular cloud was able to form.

The last time a lenticular cloud formed in St. George was Oct. 11, 2012, according to epod.usra.edu.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Related posts

Email: bbrostrom@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.