Cape Town’s clouds take on unusual shapes

Sand, sea, mountains … it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the Mother City’s natural elements. While you’re absorbing the views, look up and examine the dramatic clouds synonymous with Cape Town skies—they’re anything but normal.

Have you ever wondered about the interesting wispy formations that decorate the sky, or those clouds that look like flying saucers ready to invade Earth? They are in actual fact a direct product of Cape Town’s weather patterns and climate. These are our favourite strange clouds seen gracing the Mother City skies…

Lenticular clouds

Otherwise known as “saucer clouds” because of their UFO appearance, these clouds have a lens-like shape that reminds one of a flying saucer. Lenticular clouds form in high altitudes, which is why they are often seen gathering over mountain ranges. Pilots steer clear of them because of the turbulence they create. You can often see these clouds hovering over Lion’s Head and sometimes on the Twelve Apostles range. They are formed when air moves over mountains and cool sufficiently for condensation to take place. Unlike other cloud formations, these clouds do not move.

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When Table Mountain isn’t what’s stealing the show ?? • • Remember to be kind, sincere and loving in everything that you do or say x • • • • • • • • #damedraveller #travelaroundcapetown #africa #southafrica #westerncape #explore #capetown #instagramsa #summer #beach #capetownisawesome #capetownskies

A post shared by Ann (@mrs.hesterman) on Dec 5, 2018 at 8:57am PST

 

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Aliens ? landing on table mountain @capetownmag #southafrica #mylife #adventure #life #capetownmag #traveller #photography #thatslife #instagay #instatravel #hamburger #jungs #capetown #southafrica #capetownskies

A post shared by Traveller (@thats_traveller) on Dec 4, 2018 at 10:36pm PST

 

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Clouds on a Tuesday

A post shared by Alan Glass (@alanglassct) on Dec 4, 2018 at 9:37pm PST

 

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Oh but I love clouds!!!!!!! I see Cappadocia….how about you?? ???? The mountains are calling me loudly ? . . . . #capetownsouthafrica #capetown #sunset #nephophile #hotairballoon #golden #lit #redgold #myweakness #beautiful #fomo #cloudporn #nature #capetownskies #wow

A post shared by Quanita Barmania (@itsquani_b) on Dec 4, 2018 at 9:47am PST

 

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About to burst cloud, alien space ship or district 9 hahaha ??? #capetownclouds #capetown

A post shared by Zaheerah (@zaheerah26) on Dec 4, 2018 at 10:35am PST

@wxbrad I’m in Cape Town and saw this incredible cloud formation today. What is it? pic.twitter.com/pOYpJuo5EW

— Dianne Ennis Stewart, APR ????? (@DianneStewart) December 5, 2018

Some amazing #lenticular #ufo cloud formations in #capetown today #capetownlife #capetowninfo #capetownetc #southafrica #devilspeak #clouds #mothercity #fairestcape https://t.co/R66fvTvsUq pic.twitter.com/4FCYmMoiN3

— westcoastlocal (@WestCoastLocal) December 4, 2018

Nothing is burning ? look at the clouds ☁️ I took this picture at panorama next to plattekloof in Cape Town pic.twitter.com/OPBsYYsTDa

— RONNIE BILA (SHAFT) (@RonnieBila) December 4, 2018

The sky looks so pretty et majestic right now. Look at that little head of a lion and a small tornado imagery from its eyes. ?☁☀? #Clouds #CapeTown #PeoplesWeather pic.twitter.com/xjuoVhx6Qj

— Prince Kingsley Lerato Mentor (@princekmentor) December 4, 2018

Pictures: Instagram