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
June heatwave also heated up the oceans. Across Europe's waters. . . Wednesday 1 July 2026
Europe temperature map with sea temperature icons showing coastal water temperatures of 20–24°C around the British Isles, 20–25°C in the Baltic Sea, 25°C in the Black Sea, and 25–27°C across parts of the Mediterranean.
Wednesday 1 July 2026

Across Europe's waters

June heatwave also heated up the oceans
Turbulent times as gusting winds spread. Scotland affected too. . . Tuesday 30 June 2026
WindRadar over the Mediterranean, showing the Mistral in the west and the Bora in the east. Strong winds and high wind speeds along the French Mediterranean coast and the Adriatic coast.
Tuesday 30 June 2026

Scotland affected too

Turbulent times as gusting winds spread
Frost instead of a heatwave. Winter in South America. . . Friday 26 June 2026
Temperature map of South America showing a widespread cold air outbreak across Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil, with a large blue thermometer icon highlighting below-average temperatures and near-freezing conditions in parts of Argentina.
Friday 26 June 2026

Winter in South America

Frost instead of a heatwave
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
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