ISLAMABAD: A rare lenticular cloud formation appeared over Pakistan’s Quetta city in the early hours of Tuesday, captivating residents and sparking widespread speculation on social media about its origins.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed the phenomenon in a statement, describing it as a “rare lenticular cloud formation” observed over Koh-e-Murdaar, in the eastern range of the city.
“The lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of October 28, 2025. The cloud appeared ahead of sunrise, persisted for approximately 20 minutes, and dissipated just before sunrise,” the weather department said in a post on X.
Rare Lenticular Cloud Formation Over Quetta
A lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of Oct 28, 2025, over Koh e Murdaar – eastern range of Quetta city. The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approx. 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise pic.twitter.com/ovtvjXM3oy— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 28, 2025
Sky phenomenon captivates residents
Citizens across Quetta and other parts of Balochistan reported witnessing the unusual sight shortly before dawn, with the sky displaying shifting hues reminiscent of a rainbow.
Videos and photos of the glowing, disc-shaped formation quickly went viral, with many users speculating that it might have been caused by aircraft or even a missile test.
Some social media accounts claimed the formation resembled a “contrail cloud” — vapour trails created by planes — while others suggested it was linked to military activity.
PMD clarifies meteorological origins
Dismissing such speculation, PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir Zaigham told Geo News that the cloud had a natural meteorological origin.
“When stable and humid winds pass through clouds, they produce waves in the sky,” Zaigham explained.
“Such formations typically appear over hilltops and vanish within moments as vapours,” he added.
The PMD clarified that lenticular clouds occur when moist air flows over mountains or elevated terrain, creating wave-like air currents.
🇵🇰 Rare Multicolored Halo Sparks Wonder, Speculation in Pakistan's Balochistan — Stunning morning light display over Quetta confirmed by Met Office as rare "lenticular cloud"; viral spectacle draws awe and missile test theories. (PMD) #Pakistan #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/dhwnh1Su41
— The LoneSharQ (@SharQwaQ) October 28, 2025
These clouds can appear smooth, lens-shaped, or saucer-like — often mistaken for artificial or unidentified flying objects.
Commonly mistaken for UFOs
According to the United Kingdom’s Met Office, lenticular clouds are “lens-shaped orographic wave clouds” formed when stable air flows across hills or mountains from a consistent direction at different heights through the troposphere.
“These strange, unnatural-looking clouds sometimes form downwind of hills or mountains,” the Met Office notes.
“They look a lot like the traditional shape of flying saucers in science fiction, and real lenticular clouds are believed to be one of the most common explanations for UFO sightings across the world.”
Meteorologists described Tuesday’s event as highly unusual for Pakistan, particularly in Quetta’s arid region. The brief but striking appearance — lasting roughly 20 minutes — drew comparisons to atmospheric events more commonly seen near mountainous regions in Europe or North America.
While social media was abuzz with theories, experts emphasised that the cloud formation was purely natural, the result of local wind and temperature conditions rather than any aerial or military activity.
