UFO Shapes Above Aberdeen Are Lenticular Clouds (PICTURES)

LOOK: Lenticular Cloud Assumes UFO Shape, Hovers Menacingly Over Aberdeen

It might not have been zipping through the sky and flashing like a malfunctioning dashboard, yet this UFO did prompt some chin scratching in Aberdeen on Monday.

But the mysterious saucer shape was actually a lenticular cloud, weather experts say.

A number of Aberdonians took to social networking sites to say they had seen the oddly-shaped cloud.

A lenticular cloud hovers over Aberdeen on Monday

Norma Lawson said: "I also got a photo of this when I was at Garthdee at 10am...amazing."

Shona Gibson added: "Beam me up Scotty."

Lenticular clouds form when stable moist air flows over a range of mountains.

A series of large-scale waves can form on the downwind side and if the temperature at the crest of the wave drops to the dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds.

The clouds have been mistaken for UFOs in the past because of their smooth saucer-like shape.

Lenticular clouds form when stable moist air flows over a range of mountain

A Met Office spokeswoman said the cloud was likely to have been formed over the Cairngorms.

She said: "These photos show an excellent example of a cloud called Altocumuls Lenticularis.

"Lenticular clouds can form at heights between 6,500 and 16,500 ft, and are called lenticular because of their lens shape

"The clouds can be seen as far as 60 miles downwind of the hills or mountains that led to their formation and they are believed to be one of the most common explanations for UFO sightings across the world.

"They can be seen at any time of year as long as the atmospheric conditions are right."

Close

What's Hot