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Cirrocumulus
Small, rippled, high-level cloudlets.
Cirrocumulus clouds are small, rounded puffs of ice crystals that appear in long rows high in the sky. They are usually white but can appear grey. They are sometimes called 'mackerel sky' because of their fish-scale like appearance.
Formation
Formed when cirrus or cirrostratus clouds are warmed gently from below. This causes air to rise and sink inside the cloud, creating the rippled pattern.
Altitude
High (20,000 - 40,000 feet / 6,000 - 12,000 meters)
Precipitation
None that reaches the ground.
Visual Characteristics
- Small, white, patchy, or sheet-like elements.
- Often arranged in a rippling or wave-like pattern.
- Composed of ice crystals.
- No shading.
- Can create a 'mackerel sky' appearance.
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