Northwest Daily Snow
By Larry Schick, Forecaster Posted 4 years ago April 12, 2020
Snow, lenticular clouds and UFO's
Summary
We'll get through this and renew the fun next season. In the meantime: "Stay home, stay healthy" PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND DO NOT PROCEED INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY. - All DNR, NPS, other parks, NFS land closed -All NW ski areas are closed for the season -- no uphill travel, no avalanche control. Respect ski area closures. -NW Avalanche Center: As of March 24th, NWAC has suspended backcountry avalanche forecasting until further notice. Check the website for details and updates. (www.nwac.us). - “Stay at home ” order in effect – no backcountry, no AT skiing, no looking around, no snowshoeing, no x-country skiing, etc. Besides social distancing protocols, the main issue is; if there is a problem (like a rescue or assistance), valuable medical and SAR resources cannot be reallocated. They are needed for the Covid-19 fight. Please respect our medical and emergency workers – they are giving their all for you – as they always do. Here is the problem with backcountry recreation: https://www.outsideonline.com/2411094/backcountry-accidents-coronavirus-colorado Thanks! Please stay healthy and follow official health guidelines.
Short Term Forecast
If you spend any in the mountains you have seen a spectacular smooth lens-shaped cloud called a lenticular. There is no significant weather produced by a lenticular, but their presence often foretells snow in the next 24-48 hours. A lenticular is a good “in the field forecast indicator ” as mountain barriers accentuate incoming high-level moisture well ahead of an approaching front. This interception of high-level moisture forms lenticular clouds, as a result, they are a vanguard ahead of an approaching weather front and sometimes a respectable snowstorm.
Altocumulus Lenticularis
Lenticulars are stationary as air moves through the cloud to create and then evaporate the cloud. Lenticulars are a signature of the moisture and sculpted smooth by the wind. The vertical wavy motion of the air created by the mountains assists in uplifting, cooling then condensing moisture to make the clouds visible. But on the downward leg of the airflow, the moisture dissipates and becomes invisible water vapor again. This is similar to the frothy rapid in a stream near a large rock. The water keeps moving through but the rapid is stationary.
Often lenticulars are singular but it’s not uncommon to see them stacked or in an elongated line over or on the lee side of the mountains. Their different forms are related to the mountains, moisture the speed/direction of the incoming wind.
Extended Forecast
Some of the most dramatic is the solidarity saucer-shaped lenticular. You can see how someone could mistake them for an unidentified flying object (UFO). In fact, Kenneth Arnold flying his small plane near Mt Rainier in Washington State, in 1947, did exactly that. At that time the term UFO did not have the modern implications of alien visitors from space, but it soon would - this is where it started. He mistakenly described the clouds as flying discs or flying saucers and the press took that and ran. And with Arnold’s help, the UFO and space aliens craze began.
The complete story is at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Arnold_UFO_sighting
The next time you are riding the chair and see a lenticular, pause and think about the weather story nature is telling you. You’ll appreciate your ski day much more and who knows, keep a close eye on it -- it might be a UFO.
Larry Schick - meteorologist, OpenSnow NW
About Our Forecaster
Larry Schick
Forecaster
Larry cherry picks the best powder days to ski. He has skied more than 60 ski areas in the Western US and British Columbia – including Cat and Heliskiing. His ride continues. The path is lined with fresh snow and perfect waves.
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