Plain English Meaning
A smooth, lens-shaped cloud that sits almost still in the sky, usually downwind of mountains. It forms where stable air rising over a peak cools enough for moisture to condense, and it marks the crest of a wave in the airflow.
Full Definition
A cloud species characterized by a smooth, lens- or almond-shaped form, typically stationary and aligned with the wind, formed when stable, moist air is forced upward over a mountain or ridge and cools to its condensation point at the crest of a standing mountain wave. Most often seen as altocumulus lenticularis, stratocumulus lenticularis, or cirrocumulus lenticularis.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather discussions about cloud types, , and of strong wind flowing over .