Altocumulus cloud

Altocumulus cloud
Altocumulus cloud formation
Abbreviation	Ac
Symbol
Genus	Alto- (high), -cumulus (heap)
Altitude	2400-6100 m (8,000-20,000 ft)
Classification	Family B (Medium-level)
Appearance	Similar to cirrocumulus, but individual segments are larger and darker.
Precipitation cloud?	No, but usually signifies an oncoming thunderstorm.
This box: view • talk

Altocumulus (Alto, "high", cumulus, "heaped") is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus. Like other cumulus clouds, altocumulus signifies convection. It is usually white or gray, and often occurs in sheets or patches with wavy, rounded masses or rolls. Altocumulus often are seen preceding a cold front, and their presence on a warm, humid, summer morning frequently signals the development of thunderstorms later in the day. Alto means high and these clouds may cause rain if they are higher up.

One form of altocumulus, altocumulus lenticularis (Lenticular cloud) is frequently reported as "Unidentified flying objects". The altocumulus approach can sometimes be disturbing, for the cloud has a dark and somewhat frightening appearance. It is about 4,000 feet to 20,000 feet (1,200 to 6,100 meters) above ground level.

Altocumulus in a clear mackerel pattern

Mackerel sky over Lincolnshire, UK.

Altocumulus virga.

Mackerel Sky

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Altocumulus clouds

• International Cloud Atlas - Altocumulus
• Clouds-Online.com Cloud Atlas with many photos and description of the different cloud genus
• National Science Digital Library - Altocumulus
• Altocumulus
• WW2010: University of Illinoiss

This climatology/meteorology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

Hello people Im bored and doing a science project