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Weather Glossary
Cloud Types
High Level Clouds, Cirrus, Cirrustratus,
Cirrocumulus
Cirrus is a high level cloud typically between 18,000 to 24,000ft
above ground. The appearance is white wispy cloud during the day
with a white sheen. During early morning or during the evening
they tend to take on the color of the sunset or sunrise. Cirrus are
also known as Mares Tales. The shape of the Cirrus cloud follow the
flow of the air.
Cirrocumulus are high level cloud-lets which group together at high
levels typically between 20,000ft to 40,000ft. They are composed of
mostly of ice often forming ripples but unlike other some other
cloud types don’t have any shading. They are also fairly rare.
Picture courtesy of the Met Office taken
by Jane Corey
Cirrostratus are another high level cloud which are transparent and
often the only indication of their presence is a halo around the sun
or moon. They cover large areas of the sky and can be fibrous or
smooth in nature. Unlike Nimbus stratus when the sun shines
through them a shadow will still be cast. These high level clouds
tend to be found between 18,000 and 24,000fT.
Picture courtesy of the Met Office taken by
Matthew Clark