cirrocumulus
cirro // latin, “curl” or “tuft of hair”
cumulus // latin, “heap’ or “pile”
form between 20,000 and 30,000 feet
(or approximately 50,555 cans of PBR stacked on top of each other)
cirrocumulus
cirrocumulus: sometimes referred to as a "mackerel sky" due to their resemblance to the scales of a fish. when cirrocumulus clouds appear in rows or patches across the sky, they create a striking pattern reminiscent of the intricate markings on a mackerel's back.
cirrocumulus: form through the gradual cooling and condensation of water vapor in the upper atmosphere. as water vapor rises and encounters colder air, it condenses into tiny ice crystals, which cluster together to form the distinct patterns characteristic of cirrocumulus clouds
cirrocumulus: as the sun sets, it illuminates the delicate ice crystals within the cirrocumulus clouds, which may take on shades of pink, orange, and gold.
cirrocumulus: generally considered to be fair-weather clouds. their presence often signals stable atmospheric conditions, particularly in the upper levels of the atmosphere. however, if cirrocumulus clouds begin to thicken and lower, they may indicate the approach of a warm front or changing weather patterns.