SPECTACULAR LENTICULAR CLOUDS AS OBSERVED OVER THE AZORES ISLAND EARLIER! (credit: Jorge Baixinho and Carina Jorgenunes via Meteo Europe)

DISCUSSION: As strong northerly flow wrapped around the Azores islands positioned in Northeast Atlantic Ocean, absolutely gorgeous lenticular clouds formed over the peaks of individual mountains on both Madalena and Candelaria.  Note how there was distinct layering associated with the development of these lenticular clouds; indicating the presence of strengthening winds aloft which induce the formation of an oscillating gravity wave in the middle to upper atmosphere and the lenticular clouds usually form at the base of these gravity waves where moisture tends to condense the most.  To read more about this neat atmospheric phenomena, visit this link and for more neat high-impact weather content from across Europe, be sure to click here!