Orographic cap cloud enshrouding a distant mountain peak in the St Elias Mountains on the Haines Highway. Yukon Territory of Canada, overlooking Dezadeash Lake.
Orographic cap clouds form during mountain wave conditions, when strong winds blow across mountain ranges. The presence of these clouds is significant in that they are usually associated with dangerous turbulence. All of the orographic cloud forms (rotor clouds, lenticular clouds and cap clouds) are unique in that they are stationary over a particular area and do not move with the wind flow, but rather circulate in place much like a giant eddy in the sky.
Loading contexts...
