Rare cloud formation spotted on Antrim coast

Barra Best

Senior weather presenter

17 January 2025

People along the Antrim coast woke up to unusual cloud formations on Friday, reminiscent of scenes from a science-fiction film.

Lenticular clouds combined with the morning sunrise to create these striking images, sent in by BBC weather watchers in Larne.

One person described the view as being like a scene from the post-apocalyptic game and television series, Fallout.

Image source, Tanya Crooks
Image caption,
Residents in Larne woke up to the strange formations on Friday
Image source, Rab Jones
Image caption,
As the sun rose in Larne, the cone shape became clearer
Image source, Sarah O'Toole
Image caption,
The cloud was bathed in the morning sunshine at Ballygally Beach
Image source, Angela Magee
Image caption,
People living in the coastal village of Cushendun spotted the clouds out to sea
Image source, Polly
Image caption,
One resident pictured the clouds on the outskirts of Larne

From the Latin word lenticularis meaning "lens-shaped", lenticular clouds are some of the rarest clouds and are often mistaken for UFOs.

They are formed near mountains or hills when the air is both stable and humid.

As air is blown over the mountain or hill it produces a standing-wave pattern, and these clouds form in the crest of the waves.

When illuminated by the rising or setting sun, lenticular clouds take on a unique reddish glow.

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