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
Seeking the cooler scenes. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 12 July 2026
Split image showing a cat silhouetted on a fence at golden hour with the low sun behind it on the left, and a calm marina with boats, reflective water, and thin high clouds under bright sunshine on the right.
Sunday 12 July 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seeking the cooler scenes
The monsoon has India firmly in its grip. Severe thunderstorms. . . Thursday 9 July 2026
Satellite map of South Asia showing the weather situation over India. An arrow marks a low-pressure system over western and central India, which is causing heavy showers and thunderstorms. Thick clouds and rainfall extend across large parts of India as far as the Himalayas and into Bangladesh. Over Pakistan and south-eastern Iran, however, it is mainly sunny and hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
Thursday 9 July 2026

Severe thunderstorms

The monsoon has India firmly in its grip
Forest fires rage in southern Europe. Drought and wind. . . Monday 6 July 2026
Split screen. On the left, a weather map of France and Spain showing the plumes of smoke from the forest fires. On the right, a fire-fighting aircraft in action.
Monday 6 July 2026

Drought and wind

Forest fires rage in southern Europe
All weather news
This might also interest you
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
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