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Cirrus Cloud Family |
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Curl of
Hair |
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Description: |
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High level clouds made of super cooled
water or ice crystals.
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Height: |
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Above 23,000 feet. |
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Formation: |
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Convection usually due to the approach
of a front or waste clouds from thunderstorms |
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Precipitation: |
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None |
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Examples |
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Cirrus - Fall Streaks
Cirrus clouds are formed in the upper
atmosphere and are made of ice crystals. Some of the heavier
ice crystals precipitate from the clouds and create fall streaks.
These streaks are seen streaming off to the right in this image due
to high upper level winds. |
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Cirrocumulus
These clouds are a sign of convection in
the upper levels of where clouds can occur in the atmosphere.
These heap clouds are made of super cooled water, with some ice
crystals. These crystals often cause the liquid water around
them to freeze and spread out often turning these clouds into
cirrostratus. Thus cirrocumulus can be short lived. |
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Cirrostratus
Cirrostratus are high level layer
clouds. These clouds are made of ice crystals and are often
responsible for the halo of light seen around the Sun or Moon.
In this image of multiple cloud types cirrostratus can be seen in
the upper right. |
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Discover. Enjoy. |
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