Standing lenticular clouds indicate mountain-wave activity and help identify turbulence associated with what feature?

• A. Mountains
• B. Deserts
• C. Coastal plains
• D. Plains

Answer: (A)

Lenticular clouds that appear stationary form when stable air flows over a mountain barrier and settles into standing waves on the downwind side. This creates a clear mountain-wave pattern. The turbulence linked to that pattern comes from the air moving through and around the mountains—especially in the lee where rotor clouds and strong wave crests can develop. So spotting standing lenticulars is a direct sign of mountains shaping the air and the associated mountain-wave turbulence. Deserts, coastal plains, or flat plains don’t produce the same persistent lee-wave setup, which is why the correct feature is the mountains.