Lenticular clouds near Aoraki Mt Cook. No, it wasn't snow - but rather strange-looking UFO-like clouds, known as lenticular clouds. Lenticular clouds are common over parts of Canterbury due to the Southern Alps and nor'westers connecting together. The lenticular cloud over Bay of Plenty last night:In 2016, a lenticular cloud sparked panic in Northland after it was mistaken for an "alien spaceship trying to enter the atmosphere." There needs to be enough moisture in the air for the wind to make sure the waves condense to form lenticular clouds, Murray said.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 02, 2020 22:41 UTC