Residents were shocked to see a rare 'UFO' cloud over Saddleworth this morning.

The cloud appeared just as the sun was rising and looked a lot like an extra-terrestrial event. 

However, Oldham wasn't being invaded from outer space but was experiencing a lenticular cloud phenomenon. 

The wave cloud formation looks a lot like a lens and the Met Office says they are believed to be one of the most common explanations for UFO sightings around the world. 

 

They form when air is blown across mountainous areas, setting up a train of large standing waves in the air downstream.

It's a similar process to when ripples form in a river when water flows over an obstruction, according to the Met Office. 

When the air is holding enough moisture, the rising motion of the wave will cause water vapour to condense, forming the unique appearance of lenticular clouds.

The clouds can result in strange winds such as very strong gusts in one place with still air only 100 metres away.

The cloud's appearance in Saddleworth is an extra-rare occurrence, as they most commonly only form where there's a mountain range. 

Got some great pictures of the lenticular cloud this morning? Send them to us at jessica.rothwell@newsquest.co.uk