A peak in the clouds Mar 23, 2020

A peak in the clouds

World Meteorological Day brings us to Washington"s Mount Rainier, a huge stratovolcano with a habit of creating its own weather systems. Jutting out about 2 miles above the surrounding landscape, its high altitude interrupts the flow of air that comes in off the Pacific Ocean, creating dramatic weather such as the saucer-shaped clouds on our homepage. They"re called lenticular clouds, and because of their distinctive appearance, they"ve been suggested as an explanation for some UFO sightings. Thanks to the science of meteorology, we know they"re a normal weather phenomenon, commonly occurring on the downwind side of obstructions such as mountains, buildings, or other tall structures.

© Delrious/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Mar 23, 2018Happy World Meteorological Day
Mar 23, 2019What happened to these clouds?
Mar 23, 2021Uncommon clouds are gathering
Mar 23, 2022World Meteorological Day
Mar 23, 2023World Meteorological Day
Mar 23, 2024World Meteorological Day
Mar 23, 2025World Meteorological Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 22, 2018Roman theater of Cartagena, Spain
Jan 25, 2022Saint Dwynwen s Day
Jan 25, 2024Ruins of St. Dwynwens Church, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales
Oct 4, 2021Hey neighbor, it s World Space Week!
Mar 9, 2022Flower of Life symbol drawn in snow
Feb 11, 2022harlem
Feb 10, 2018Bonifacio on the island of Corsica, France
Dec 20, 2020Dressed for winter fun
Dec 29, 2020Where the glow of the holidays lingers
Jul 9, 2018Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
Dec 18, 2022South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
Sep 1, 2023National Mushroom Month
Jan 21, 2021The tale of squirrels like Nutkin
Mar 1, 2021Gazing upon Portraits of Change
Sep 23, 2021Last stop before leaving the solar system
Jul 20, 2021Fly me to the moon
Nov 28, 2021Celebrating Panama s independence
Apr 17, 2025Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
May 16, 2021A magnificent monolith
Nov 9, 2020Autumn in Piedmont
Sep 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Sep 3, 2022Skyscraper Day
Jan 17, 2021On the Route of the Waterfalls
Jul 24, 2021Can you see the family resemblance?
Jan 27, 2025Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Mar 17, 2024St. Patricks Day
Dec 12, 2022Poinsettia Day
Mar 8, 2020Joan charges Riverside Park
Mar 12, 2025Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Center-Val de Loire, France
May 18, 2018It’s Endangered Species Day