Lenticular over Continental Divide

[KmH]

A stationary lenticular cloud hanging over the Continental Divide in Colorado, from Amtrak's California Zephyr.
I cheated and opened the window in the boarding door as the train was moving so I wouldn't have to shoot through the dirty window.

And from a bit closer

Closer still and at a longer focal length

 

[tirediron]

Very cool - rarely see those around here.

 

[jcdeboever]

Wow, that is cool. I have never seen one, didn't know they existed. Must be the atmosphere in Detroit is different.

 

[KmH]

They're generally associated with mountains.
When stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, large-scale standing waves sometimes form on the downwind side. If the temperature at the crest of the wave drops to the dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds.

 

[tirediron]

... Must be the atmosphere in Detroit is different.

When did they get that back?