The Cirrocumulus

cirrocumulus

Closing the section of high clouds, together with the Cirrus and Cirroestratus, this time we deal with the Cirrocumulus or Cirrocumulus. This type of cloud consists of a bank, thin layer or sheet of white clouds, without shadows, composed of very small elements in the form of grains, curls, clumps, ripples, united or separated and distributed with greater or less regularity. Most of the elements have an apparent width <1º.

They are made up of ice crystals, they have a formation process similar to the Cirrus and Cirrostratus. Unlike them, the Cirrocumulus betray the presence of instability at the level they are at, and which gives these clouds their cumuliform appearance. Cirrocumulus clouds are one of the most beautiful and spectacular clouds, and also the most difficult to witness, due to their low frequency in the skies. They are at heights of 7-12Km.

Except if they increase considerably over time, they do not usually indicate a change in time. Other
sometimes appear associated with jet streams high altitude (Jet Stream). Do not confuse them with the Altocumulus, similar in appearance but lower, gray and with larger constituent elements.

Conclusion problems of photographing, especially if you want to include a reference terrestrial element, since
as they are made up of tiny “grains”, which are not visually distinguishable, except vertically
of the observer, your photograph should be taken in a very zenith position. A Polarizing filter will improve considerably
the contrast with the sky.

4 species can be distinguished (Stratiformis, Lenticulares, Castellanus and Floccus) and 2 varieties (Undulatus and Lacunosus).

Source: AEMET


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