When strong westerly winds at mid and high levels flow through the middle of California, they are forced up and over the massive Sierra Nevada. A “Sierra wave” develops, and stable “wave” clouds (also called “standing lenticulars”) usually form downwind of the mountain range. These clouds are commonly lens-shaped with smooth, laminar sides, and sometimes look like flying saucers. They also tend to change shape and characteristics very quickly, while remaining anchored in the same general space.
On Friday the 12th, Brian and Nancy and I toured the Panamint Valley from south to north, and at sunset were at the Father Crowley overlook. This viewpoint is at about 4000 feet elevation above the west side of the valley, and Owens Valley and the Southern Sierra are some 20-30 miles to the west. We noticed some nice lenticulars forming to our southwest and west, took some shots, and then scurried west on 190 about ten more miles to Saline Valley Road, where the view to the west and the Sierra crest was better.
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