How do cirrus clouds look

Among the various types of clouds which people can identify, cirrus clouds appear at the highest point in the troposphere, the section of the Earth's atmosphere which comes into contact with the ground. The height of cirrus clouds can vary, depending on the region of the Earth they form over, as the troposphere is thinner in some places than in others. By looking at the direction of the tails associated with a patch of cirrus clouds, people can determine which way the wind is going at the level of the troposphere inhabited by the clouds.

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However, the best way to differentiate them is to see their color and shape. The cirrostratus clouds are more translucent and are often layered. As you could see, there is a lot to know about cirrus clouds. Yet, there is a lot more to know about clouds. That way you can keep studying with them and help them understand more things about clouds.

Download our app. July 16, 5 min read. What Are Cirrus Clouds? How Do Cirrus Clouds Form? Cirrus Cloud Facts There are many things to know about cirrus clouds. Cirrus Clouds Species As mentioned before, cirrus clouds are divided into species.

The five cirrus clouds species are : Cirrus Castellanus Cirrus castellanus clouds are often called turrets. Cirrus Fibratus Similar to its name, cirrus fibrates clouds look fiber-like. Cirrus Floccus Unlike cirrus fibratus, cirrus floccus looks puffy and bigger than the previous cloud types. Cirrus Spissatus These clouds sometimes lack a specific form.

Cirrus Uncinus Cirrus uncinus clouds are very similar to cirrus fibratus clouds. Cirrus Cloud Supplementary Features Clouds tend to have supplementary features attached to them. They are: Cirrus Fluctus Cirrus fluctus clouds look like waves or curls. Cirrus Mamma These clouds are similar to cirrus spissatus clouds.

Cloud Types Similar to Cirrus Clouds Even though they are similar to other clouds, cirrus clouds have some things in common with other types of clouds. Conclusion As you could see, there is a lot to know about cirrus clouds. Cirrus uncinus Ci unc. Cirrus fibratus Ci fib. Cirrus Cloud Facts. White to light gray. Mostly sunny to sunny. Cirrus Cloud Species.

Rising towers, turrets. Fiberlike, hairlike. Puffy, ragged tufts. Packed tightly, dense. A cloud forms when air is heated by the sun. As it rises, it slowly cools it reaches the saturation point and water condenses, forming a cloud. As long as the cloud and the air that its made of is warmer than the outside air around it, it floats!

How do clouds move? Clouds move with the wind. High cirrus clouds are pushed along by the jet stream, sometimes traveling at more than miles-per-hour. When clouds are part of a thunderstorm they usually travel at 30 to 40 mph.

Why do clouds form at different heights in the atmosphere? The characteristics of clouds are dictated by the elements available, including the amount of water vapor, the temperatures at that height, the wind, and the interplay of other air masses.