Monday, December 28, 2009

Winter Faces of Mt. Rainier

On Saturday, the skies remained clear. Hundreds came to Paradise to play in the snow. We came to hike on snowshoes. 


On Sunday, the mountain was spectacularly capped with lenticular clouds. I say clouds, because they appeared in sequence, one at a time. A spectacular lenticular cloud  which topped the mountain when we arrived, cleared and was replaced by another at least twice during the day.

"Lenticular clouds, technically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction." source Crystal Links


Is it any wonder that, in the 1940s, the first sightings of "flying saucers" were reported in this area?

Our host at the Lodge said that lenticular clouds signal a change in the weather. Last night there was new snow.


Whatever the cause or the aftermath, they are a spectacular sight.


And today, a new cloud style came in.

My world has been on the mountain the last two days. Where is your world? See what's happening in other parts  of the world each Tuesday linked here.


8 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, Katney! What fantastic captures you caught of those marvelous clouds! Aren't they just amazing? We do live in about as beautiful world as there is, don't we? Wishing you a very Happy New Year! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Martha Z said...

Oh, that is so beautiful, I wish I could be with you!

Chuck Pefley said...

The lenticular in your second image is fantastic!!!

Paulie said...

I can say that I ahve never seen anything quite like that cloud! How very interesting. So glad you caught it to share with us!

Anonymous said...

Amazing and beautiful clouds! They looks like halos!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shots of Mt Rainier. The Lenticular clouds are a spectacular sight and you capture it beautifully.

imac said...

What beauty you captured Katney.

Cathy said...

These pics are beautiful.. what a great place to visit. I have never seen clouds like that.. just makes you wonder what the weather is like WAY up there.. great shots.