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Optical Effects
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A classic fallstreak hole (cavum) over Charlotte, Michigan, US
A classic example of a cap cloud, a particular example of an altocumulus lenticularis, forms as a stable airstream rises to pass over a peak, cooling as it does so. Deborah's son, Peter, spotted this unique cloud formation over what appears to be Mt. Adams as he was on a plane coming in to land at Portland, Oregon, US
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These lens-shaped orographic wave clouds, known as altocumulus lenticularis, form when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere. If there is enough moisture in the air, the rising motion of the wave will cause water vapour to condense, forming the unique appearance of lenticular clouds. This classic example was spotted near Narbonne, France.
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Altocumulus stratiformis perlucidus over Moscow, Russia
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A classic example of multiple Altocumulus lenticularis, spotted over Piz Mezzaun in the Livigno Range of the Alps, near Engadina, Switzerland
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A classic and expansive display of Altocumulus stratiformis undulatus, also known as a "mackerel sky", spotted over Wareham Forest, Dorset, England
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Classic example of an Altocumulus lenticularis duplicatus, also known as "pile d'assiettes", spotted over Langfjordbotn, Finnmark, Norway.
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Cavum (Fallstreak Hole), which is formed when part of the cloud layer forms ice crystals which are large enough to descend as a "fallstreak". They form in clouds of supercooled water droplets, which in the end, creates a form of virga, a trail of ice crystals that doesn’t reach the ground, but evaporates before getting that far. This classic example was spotted over Charlotte, North Carolina, US.
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Cavum (Fallstreak Hole) is essentially, in the end, a form of virga, wherein a particular trail of ice crystals doesn’t reach the ground, but instead, evaporates prior to that point. This classic example was spotted over Seaford, East Sussex, England.
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Altocumulus lenticularis undulatus during sunset over the Southern Alps near Christchurch, New Zealand
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A classic example of virga from mid-level altocumulus clouds, which in this case, consists of ice crystals and presents with a paler appearance, versus when virga takes place via low-level clouds and are composed of water droplets and appear grey. Virga can also resemble the look of jellyfish, as in this case over Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England.
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A classic example of a Cavum (Fallstreak Hole) over Longham, Dorset, England
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Virga, which are evaporating precipitation trails, as shown here stemming from altocumulus clouds, over A Coruna, Galicia, Spain
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Altocumulus lenticularis over the Eastern Sierra Mountains, spotted while driving south towards Bishop, California, US
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Lacunosus, a short-lived cloud formation, shown here in different stages of evolution within high Altocumulus clouds over Brentwood, Missouri, US
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Virga trails over Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland
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