Sierra Wave Cloud

A large Sierra Wave cloud, also known as Altocumulus lenticularis, hangs above Round Valley and Mount Tom at sunset. These persistent lens-shaped clouds form downwind of mountains worldwide, but the Eastern Sierra is famous for them, hence the local name. Lenticular clouds form as strong west winds are forced up the moderate western slopes of the Sierra. The air then dives down the steep east slope, and rises again in a series of wave peaks and troughs that stretch eastward. Winds rush through the clouds at 50 to 100 mph, carrying water vapor that condenses at the front edge, then sinks and evaporates at the cloud’s back edge. They hang in the sky like a standing wave downstream of a boulder. I’ve been fortunate to witness many of these formations since living in the Eastern Sierra since 1994, but this was one from November 2011, was one of the best.

This photo works well as either a canvas or metal print.

About the Fine Art Photos

Premium fine art canvas wraps are printed directly onto museum-quality canvas using high-quality archival inks. The canvas used is specially coated, ph neutral and archival, and comes in surfaces that are glossy, lustre (near-matte surface), or metallic for a radiant glow.

Metal prints are made by infusing dyes directly onto specially coated, .045 aluminum sheets that are durable, scratch resistant, and easy to clean. They are waterproof and weatherproof, but should not be displayed in direct sunlight. They come with 1/8″ rounded corners and are ready to hang.

Prints take 15-20 days to process, then will be shipped.

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