Have you ever looked for shapes in the clouds? You might have seen different animals, hearts, or racecars. But have you ever seen one that looks like a flying saucer?
Clouds form when water vapor [the gas form of water] in the air cools. It changes from a gas to a liquid. Clouds are named based on their shape and height in the sky. You might know some types of clouds. Cirrus clouds are highest in the sky. They are thin and wispy. They are made of ice crystals. Cumulus clouds are puffy. They form at the middle levels. They are made of water droplets. They can be white or gray. Stratus clouds form a blanket across the sky. They are also made of water droplets. They form at low levels.
Flying saucer clouds are also called lenticular clouds. These clouds form near mountain ranges. When moist air blows over a mountain, it forms waves on the other side. If temperatures are cool enough, water vapor in the air will change to liquid. Clouds will form. These clouds form shapes that can look like a lens or saucer.
What Do You Think? Look for more pictures of lenticular clouds online. How would you describe them?
Photo Credit: WeatherVideoHD.TV
