Cirrostratus nebulosus
Cirrostratus nebulosus clouds producing a 22° sun halo.
AbbreviationCs neb
Symbol
GenusCirrus- (curl)
-stratus (layered)
Speciesnebulosus (nebulous)
AltitudeAbove 6,000 m
(Above 20,000 ft)
ClassificationFamily A (High-level)
Appearancesmooth, fog-like veil[1]
PrecipitationNo, but may indicate an approaching rain-producing weather system

Cirrostratus nebulosus is a type of high-level cirrostratus cloud. The name cirrostratus nebulosus is derived from Latin, the adjective nebulosus meaning "full of vapor, foggy, cloudy, dark".[2] Cirrostratus nebulosus is one of the two most common forms that cirrostratus often takes, with the other being cirrostratus fibratus. The nebulosus species is featureless and uniform, while the fibratus species has a fibrous appearance.[3] Cirrostratus nebulosus are formed by gently rising air. The cloud is often hard to see unless the sun shines through it at the correct angle, forming a halo.[4] While usually very light, the cloud may also be very dense, and the exact appearance of the cloud can vary from one formation to another.[5] In the winter, precipitation often follows behind these clouds; however, they are not a precipitation-producing cloud.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wolken Online. "Cirrostratus". Cloud Atlas. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  2. ^ Numen - The Latin Lexicon. "Definition of nebulosus". Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  3. ^ Dunlop, Storm (2003). The weather identification handbook (1st Lyons Press ed.). Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press. p. 62. ISBN 1-58574-857-9.
  4. ^ Rodgers, Alan; Streluk, Angella (2007). Cloud cover (Rev. and updated. ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Heinemann Library. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-4329-0077-9.
  5. ^ Callanan, Martin. "Cirrostratus nebulosus". International Cloud Atlas. nephology.eu. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  6. ^ Institute of Atmospheric Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. "Cirrostratus (nebulosus)". A Guide to the Sky. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2011.

External links


Cloud genera and selected species, supplementary features, and other airborne hydrometeors - WMO Latin terminology except where indicated
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