A Skyward Spectacle: The White Mountains' 'UFO' Cloud Mystery Unveiled

Picture this: you're gazing up at the majestic White Mountains, perhaps thinking about a hike or just enjoying the crisp New Hampshire air, when suddenly, something truly extraordinary catches your eye. A distinct, saucer-shaped object, seemingly suspended in the sky, shimmering with an almost otherworldly glow. Naturally, for a moment, your mind might just jump to... well, you know, spaceships.

That's precisely what many felt recently when a truly incredible cloud formation decided to grace the skies above the White Mountains. And thankfully, we have local meteorologist Josh Judge to thank for capturing its ethereal beauty from a unique vantage point – high above the clouds himself, during a recent flight.

His stunning photograph, taken with the iconic Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine as its backdrop, shows a perfectly formed, lens-shaped cloud. It's the kind of sight that stops you dead in your tracks, prompting double-takes and excited whispers of 'What is that?'

Now, before anyone starts prepping their alien welcome party – though it's certainly tempting given the striking appearance – this celestial visitor has a wonderfully terrestrial explanation. What we're actually looking at is a textbook example of a lenticular cloud. Think of them as nature's own optical illusions, often mistaken for something far more mysterious than they actually are.

These fascinating formations, also sometimes called pileus or 'cap' clouds, typically form when moist, stable air flows smoothly over a mountain or a range of mountains. As the air rises over the peak, it cools and condenses, forming that characteristic lens or saucer shape. Then, as it descends on the other side, it warms up and the moisture evaporates, leaving these distinct, often solitary, cloud formations seemingly hovering in place.

It's no wonder, then, why lenticular clouds have earned their reputation as 'UFO clouds' over the years. Their smooth, often layered appearance, and their tendency to remain stationary even in strong winds, gives them an uncanny resemblance to flying saucers straight out of a science fiction movie. It's a classic case of nature playing tricks on our eyes, sparking wonder and a touch of playful speculation.

So, while our dreams of alien encounters in the White Mountains might have to wait, there's still immense beauty and a touch of magic in understanding these incredible natural phenomena. The next time you spot something peculiar in the sky, take a moment to appreciate the sheer artistry of our planet's atmosphere. Sometimes, the most amazing sights are simply nature's way of reminding us how spectacular our world truly is.