Cirrostratus cloud

Cirrostratus cloud
Cirrostratus cloud
Cirrostratus fibratus
Cirrostratus fibratus
Abbreviation Cs
Genus Cirrus- "curl of hair" and
-stratus "layered"
Altitude Above 6000 m
(Above 20,000 ft)
Classification Family A (High-level)
Appearance white veil
Precipitation cloud? No, but may signify approaching rain
v · d · e

Cirrostratus play /ˌsɪrˈstrɑːtəs/ clouds are thin, generally uniform clouds, composed of ice-crystals. They are difficult to detect and capable of forming halos the cloud takes the form of thin cirrostratus nebulosus and have a fibrous texture with no haloes if it is thicker cirrostratus fibratus. On the approach of a frontal system, the cirrostratus often begins as nebulosus and turns to fibratus. Cirrostratus is usually located above 5.5 km (18,000 ft). Its presence indicates a large amount of moisture in the upper atmosphere.[1] Cirrostratus clouds sometimes signal the beginning of a warm front and thus may be signs that precipitation might follow in the next 12 to 24 hours [2]. Cumulus humilis or stratocumulus clouds are often found below cirrostratus formations, this being due to the stable air associated with cirrostratus creating an inversion and restricting convection, causing cumuloform clouds to become flattened.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ludlum, D. (1991). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-679-40851-7.
  2. ^ Vekteris, Donna (2004). Scholastic Atlas of Weather. Scholastic Inc. p. 14. ISBN 0-439-41902-6. 

External links



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cirrostratus cloud — noun a thin uniform layer of hazy cloud at high altitude • Syn: ↑cirrostratus • Hypernyms: ↑cloud …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cirrostratus nebulosus — clouds being illuminated by the sun and forming a halo Abbreviation Cs neb Symbol …   Wikipedia

  • Cirrostratus fibratus — Abbreviation Cs fib Symbol Genus Cirrus (curl of hair) stratus (layered) Species fibratus (fibrous …   Wikipedia

  • cirrostratus — noun a thin uniform layer of hazy cloud at high altitude • Syn: ↑cirrostratus cloud • Hypernyms: ↑cloud …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cirrostratus — Abréviation METAR Cs Symbole Classification Famille A (Étage supérieur) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cirrostratus — [sir΄ō strāt′əs, sir΄ōstrat′əs] n. the type of thin, whitish cloud found at high altitudes and consisting of ice crystals: such clouds often produce halo phenomena: see CLOUD …   English World dictionary

  • cloud — [kloud] n. [ME cloude, clude, orig., mass of rock, hence, mass of cloud < OE clud, mass of rock: for IE base see CLIMB] 1. a visible mass of tiny, condensed water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere: clouds are commonly… …   English World dictionary

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  • Cloud — For other uses, see Cloud (disambiguation). Cumulus cloudscape over Swifts Creek, Australia A cloud …   Wikipedia

  • cloud — cloudlike, adj. /klowd/, n. 1. a visible collection of particles of water or ice suspended in the air, usually at an elevation above the earth s surface. 2. any similar mass, esp. of smoke or dust. 3. a dim or obscure area in something otherwise… …   Universalium

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