Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Weather News /

    Mountain wave clouds in the UK

15:13
22 August 2024

On the WeatherRadar
Mountain wave clouds in the UK

Southwesterly winds are creating striking mountain wave clouds in parts of northern England and southern Scotland on Thursday.

When stripes of clouds showing up on the WeatherRadar across parts of the UK and Ireland, look at the wind.

The cloud lines are at right angles to the wind direction and appear upon hitting mountainous, or hilly, areas. These are known as mountain waves.

Mountain waves are a type of lee wave, otherwise known as standing, stationary waves.
Mountain waves are a type of lee wave, otherwise known as standing, stationary waves.

As the air moves over the elevated area, it is forced upwards. When it hits the inversion it subsides, though as it is stable air, it tries to return to its original level, producing an ongoing oscillation.

Every time the air rises, it cools and forms a cloud that sits at each crest of the wave. On the WeatherRadar, you can see all the ripples flowing over the mountains, continuing eastwards.

Have you seen any near you? If so, send us a picture, we would love to see them. Upload yours here!

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. Heading over 40°C?. . . Tuesday 21 July 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 21 July 2026

Heading over 40°C?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
Parts of England inching towards drought. Low rivers & reservoirs. . . Wednesday 22 July 2026
People relaxing in a park during hot weather ,with one person sunbathing on dry yellow grass beneath large leafy trees under a blue sky with scattered fair-weather clouds.
Wednesday 22 July 2026

Low rivers & reservoirs

Parts of England inching towards drought
Drought for North Wales and Upper Severn. 2% of average rainfall. . . Thursday 23 July 2026
Split image showing a July rainfall anomaly map of Europe on the left with below-average rainfall across the UK, Ireland, and much of western and central Europe, and an active moorland wildfire on the right producing flames and thick smoke near homes.
Thursday 23 July 2026

2% of average rainfall

Drought for North Wales and Upper Severn
All weather news
This might also interest you
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList