An unusual cloud spotted over Washington, DC, has fueled sensational claims that extraterrestrial craft may be concealed in the skies above the US capital.
A recently shared image showed a huge, isolated formation resembling a UFO suspended over the city.
With its smooth, saucer-like outline, the cloud appeared to remain perfectly still above Washington.
One witness wrote on X on Friday: “Seen this cloud about an hour back. No movement, no shape change. After being stationary for about 20 mins, it just vanished.”
UFO researcher Scott C Waring suggested that similar formations across the city could be “cloaked alien craft attempting to get closer to the human population by appearing as a simple cloud.”
“Where else would aliens want to listen telepathically to the minds of humans than the area where most US gov intelligence workers live,” Waring added.
“Washington DC is an intelligence playground for them.”
Despite the speculation, the formation is a well-known natural phenomenon: a lenticular cloud.
An unusual scene over Washington DC prompted wild claims that aliens were hiding in the skies above the US capital. Above is a lenticular cloud
UFO researcher Scott C Waring claimed the formations seen across the city were “cloaked alien craft attempting to get closer to the human population by appearing as a simple cloud.” Above is a pileus cloud
Lenticular clouds are smooth, lens-shaped formations created when moist air moves in waves, typically around hills or mountains.
They develop as stable, moisture-laden air flows over elevated terrain and produces atmospheric waves.
When air rises toward the crest of one of these waves, it cools and its water vapor condenses into a smooth, lens-like cloud. The formation can seem motionless even while air continuously passes through it.
Additional photographs taken Friday appeared to show another enormous UFO-like object moving above the city.
Although it shared the distinctive saucer shape associated with lenticular clouds, the second formation was identified as a pileus cloud.
Pileus clouds form as cap-shaped layers above rapidly developing clouds, when rising air lifts moisture upward and causes it to cool and condense. Like lenticular clouds, they can look remarkably similar to flying saucers.
The formations emerge when a fast-growing cumulus or thunderstorm cloud forces a moist layer of air higher into the atmosphere.
As that air cools, it condenses into a thin, smooth cap that may eventually be overtaken by the cloud rising beneath it.
Although the formations sparked claims of otherworldly visitors, they are natural phenomena known as pileus clouds. Above is a pileus cloud
These smooth, cap-like clouds form above rapidly developing thunderstorms. Above is a pileus cloud
Despite that meteorological explanation, Waring claimed the clouds seen over Washington DC were camouflaged alien craft.
‘Such things often go unnoticed by most people, however the public is widely changing its opinion about these disk-shaped objects and leaning further towards the idea that they are cloaked alien craft,’ he wrote on UFO Sightings Daily.
He also claimed the supposed ships used artificial intelligence to detect when someone was watching and conceal themselves.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Prince William and Kate dazzle at state banquet for Oman’s royal family
‘Have you ever looked up at a cloud and thought, “wow, that’s strange,” then it suddenly disappears in a few seconds right before your eyes?’ he continued.
‘It’s the standard built-in reaction of the ship’s AI, causing it to scan if it’s been seen and instantly cloak if it has.
‘In this way…you have telepathically controlled the ship itself, forcing it to hide even more. Yes, you heard me right, you have controlled an alien ship!’
Waring has shared images of other clouds he believed were clocked UFOs.
Despite that meteorological explanation, Waring claimed the clouds seen over Washington DC were camouflaged alien craft. Above is a pileus cloud
In August, he reported on a sighting above a Canadian mountain town.
The image was reportedly captured over Canmore, Alberta on August 2 and shows a glowing, saucer-shaped formation suspended above the landscape.
It was shared on Facebook by Chary Woods, who posted the photo in a group dedicated to clouds.
Many people in the comments were quick to congratulate Woods on capturing an epic cloud hanging in the sky, but some noted that it looked more like a UFO.
At its center is a dark oval that UFO researcher Scott C Waring claims is a classic disk-shaped alien craft concealed within the cloud.
Waring has shared images of other clouds he believed were clocked UFOs. In August, he reported on a sighting above a Canadian mountain town
Waring said he increased the contrast on the photograph, allegedly making the object at the center of the formation easier to see.
He claimed the UFO had deliberately created the cloud to hide itself while flying closer to the ground.
The UFO researcher further alleged that alien craft use clouds as cover while secretly scanning the thoughts of people below.
The extraordinary image has divided viewers online, with some declaring it evidence of extraterrestrial visitors while others questioned whether it was created using artificial intelligence.
At its center is a dark oval that Waring claims is a classic disk-shaped alien craft concealed within the cloud
However, no evidence has emerged proving that the shape is a physical craft or that aliens were involved.
‘This is a UFO cloaked within a cloud that it created,’ Waring wrote on his UFO Sightings Daily website.
‘When you add contrast to the photo, the alien classic disk craft becomes visible at its center.’
Waring claimed extraterrestrials had successfully used the supposed camouflage technique for millions of years.
‘UFOs use clouds to fly closer to the ground in order to scan the thoughts of humans below,’ he added.
‘I think UFO researchers worldwide will agree with me on this.’
The photograph shows a glowing formation stretching horizontally across the sky above mountains, trees, homes and a road.