Spectacular ‘Picture Postcard’ sunset over La Palma as rare lenticular cloud forms
An extraordinary lenticular cloud created a stunning ‘picture postcard’ sunset over La Palma on Monday evening. The unusual sight, captured by local photographer José Fernández Arozena, drew the attention of residents and onlookers who marvelled at the perfectly defined cloud formation glowing in the fading light.
The rare spectacle came on a day marked by unseasonably high temperatures for late October, with a warmth more typical of July, even though the sun set earlier than usual following the weekend’s switch to winter time.
Witnesses described the scene as “strange but beautiful,” with high, thin clouds and a distinctly different kind of heat in the air.
Meteorological experts suggest that a low-pressure system located west of the Canary Islands likely channelled warm south-westerly winds across the archipelago, carrying moisture at higher altitudes. This combination favoured the development of the striking lenticular cloud above La Palma’s mountainous terrain.
What are lenticular clouds?
Lenticular clouds (altocumulus lenticularis) typically form downwind of mountains when strong, moist, and stable air flows over the peaks, creating standing waves in the atmosphere. The clouds appear stationary and often take on smooth, lens- or disc-like shapes, sometimes leading to mistaken UFO sightings.
These formations are most common over high islands such as La Palma or Tenerife when winds blow from the south or southwest with sufficient mid-to-high-level humidity.
As the sun set, the combination of warm air, clear lower skies, and orographic waves produced a stunning orange and pink glow, perfectly highlighting the distinctive cloud and leaving observers with a truly unforgettable scene.
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