What Are Cirrocumulus Clouds?

Cirrocumulus is one of the three main genus-types of high-altitude tropospheric clouds, the other two being cirrus and cirrostratus. They usually occur at an altitude of 5 to 12 km. Like lower-altitude cumuliform and stratocumuliform clouds, cirrocumulus signifies convection.

What do cirrocumulus clouds mean?

Cirrocumulus clouds are small rounded puffs that usually appear in long rows high in the sky. ... When these clouds cover a lot of the sky, they can look like the scales of a fish, which is it is called a "mackerel sky.” Cirrocumulus are common in winter and indicate fair, but cold, weather.

What weather does cirrocumulus clouds bring?

What weather is associated with cirrocumulus clouds? Precipitation from cirrocumulus clouds never reaches the surface, meaning that these clouds are usually associated with fair weather. However, their appearance can often prelude stormy weather, meaning you should make the most of the Sun while you still can.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.