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Altocumulus (from Latin altus 'high' and cumulus 'heaped') [1] is a middle-altitude cloud genus that belongs mainly to the stratocumuliform physical category, characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches – the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus. [2]
Altocumulus volutus is a type of altocumulus cloud. This cloud type has the appearance of a single, small, horizontal, rolling line, it is relatively rare compared with its counterpart stratocumulus volutus, [1] This cloud does not attach to any other cloud. It may or may not appear with altocumulus clouds of different species.
Mid-level stratocumuliform clouds of the genus altocumulus are not always associated with a weather front but can still bring precipitation, usually in the form of virga which does not reach the ground. Layered forms of altocumulus are generally an indicator of limited convective instability, and are therefore mainly stratocumuliform in structure.
The presence of altocumulus undulatus may indicate precipitation within the next 20 hours or simply an overcast day. [ 1 ] As with other altocumulus , the undulatus variety can form in all seasons, announcing an approaching system within the general area (about 100 - 200 mi or 160 – 322 km).
Altocumulus floccus is a cloud type named for its tuft-like, wooly appearance. [1] The base of the cloud can form as low as 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), or as high as 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). They often form in clusters, or patches, and bases can vary in height with differing atmospheric conditions within the PBL . [ 2 ]
A mackerel sky is a term for clouds made up of rows of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds displaying an undulating, rippling pattern similar in appearance to fish scales; [1] [2] this is caused by high altitude atmospheric waves. [3]
Altocumulus clouds are small patches or heaps of white or light gray cloud. [49] [4] Like altostratus, altocumulus are composed of a mixture of water droplets, supercooled water droplets, and ice crystals. Although altocumulus clouds are mid-level clouds that form at roughly the same altitude as altostratus clouds, their formation methods are ...
Perlucidus is a cloud variety that generally appears in only two cloud types, those being altocumulus and stratocumulus. Perlucidus cloud is easily recognizable by the small ubiquitous gaps that let higher clouds be seen. [1] It forms when shallow convection starts in a cloud layer that did not previously have perlucidus variety characteristics ...