| High level (Cirrus) clouds
form high in the atmosphere, normally at
altitudes between 15,000 and 30,000 feet
above ground level. In southern
California these clouds can form anytime
of the year. The most common type of
Cirrus clouds in southern California
are... Cirriform, Cirrocumulus,
Cirrostratus, Cirrus and Contrails. Here are a
several examples of high level (Cirrus)
clouds...
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Cirrocumulus |
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Cirrocumulus |
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Cirrostratus/Contrails |
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Cirrus |
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Photo
Courtesy of: Nitsa |
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Photo
Courtesy of: Nitsa |
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Cirrus/Cirrostratus |
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Cirrus/Cirrostratus |
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Cirrus |
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Cirrus/Cirrostratus |
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Photo
Courtesy of: Nitsa |
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Cirrus/Cirrostratus/Cirrocumulus |
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Cirrus/Cirrostratus/Cirrocumulus |
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"High
level clouds glossary"
Cirrus... High clouds,
normally above 18,000 feet and made
up of ice crystals.
Cirriform... High altitude
ice crystal clouds with very thing
wispy appearance to them.
Cirrocumulus... Cirrus clouds
with vertical appearance to them.
Cirrostratus... Cirrus clouds
with a flat "sheetlike"
appearance. Thick cirrostratus clouds
are often a signal of precipitation
within 24 hours...especially if they
are followed by mid-level clouds.
Some less common types
cirrus clouds are...
Cirrus Unicus
Cirrus Spissatus
Cirrus Fibratus
Cirrus clouds generally
are seen during fair weather and point in
the direction of air movement at their
altitude.
Continue on to the "Mid Level Clouds"
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