Quetta: Residents of Quetta were treated to a rare and mesmerizing natural spectacle early Tuesday morning, as unusual cloud formations lit up the skies just minutes before sunrise.
Initially mistaken for a missile test or a UFO, the phenomenon was identified by experts as lenticular clouds hovering above the Koh-e-Murdaar mountain range. These clouds, noted for their smooth, lens-like shapes, are frequently misinterpreted due to their perfectly symmetrical, floating appearance.
Alhamdulillah! Pakistan has successfully conducted a missile test from the soil of Balochistan. Further details will soon be released by the officials.#Pakistan #Missile #Hypersonic #Quetta #ISPR #PakArmy #PakvsSA pic.twitter.com/JMkgPRv33J
— Syed Rafaqat Ali (@alirafaqat51214) October 28, 2025
The term “lenticular” comes from the Latin word lenticularis, meaning “lens-shaped.” Meteorologists explain that such clouds form when moist, stable air is forced over mountains, creating stationary waves in the atmosphere. As the air rises and cools at the peaks of these waves, condensation occurs, giving rise to the distinctive layered “stack-of-plates” appearance.
Eyewitnesses described the pre-dawn scene as otherworldly, with the clouds glowing in iridescent pinks, greens, and golds. This shimmering effect, scientists say, is caused by sunlight interacting with tiny water droplets or ice crystals at precise angles — a phenomenon known as cloud iridescence.
The rugged terrain of the Koh-e-Murdaar range, combined with strong mountain winds, created ideal conditions for the formation, making the display both rare and visually striking for Pakistan.
Meteorologists emphasized that such events, though fleeting, offer a glimpse into the complex beauty of the Earth’s atmosphere and encourage observers to appreciate the natural wonders around them.
