UFO Clouds Visible Across Inland Empire: More Pics Of These Meteorological Marvels

BANNING, CA — A family was heading north on I-215 from Banning when a strange cloud formation caught the father's eye.

"I was heading up to San Bernardino and snapped the picture," he said. The clouds remained poised over Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear as he waited. The image he captured was of a lenticular cloud, a particularly fascinating atmospheric formation, according to meteorologists.

Murrieta resident Guy Hadley was visiting Big Bear, and happened to capture the same photograph from a mountain angle.

This particular event, on Wednesday afternoon, was seen in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, both below and on top of the mountain.

"The clouds have been so cool (today)," Hadley told Patch.

According to the National Weather Service, "the scientific name is Altocumulus Standing Lenticularis. It's associated with atmospheric waves that develop when relatively stable, fast-moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier."

They are particularly noticeable when it's really windy above the mountains.

Some people who see the formations call them "flying saucers," while others see a "stack of pancakes."

Regardless, they are mysterious as they are beautiful. When you see a truly dramatic formation like this one, you'll never forget it.

Do you have a great lenticular cloud photo you'd like to share with Patch? Send it our way, along with a description of where you were when you snapped it, for a chance to be featured, with credit on Patch.