Cirrocumulus Clouds: High-altitude Cloudlets
Definition: Small, flakey, and white high-altitude cumulus heaps and patches
Description & Characteristics. Cirrocumulus clouds are thin cloud patches found high in the troposphere and are the only cloud found here that has cloud heap characteristics. Because cirrocumulus clouds are so high in altitude, the cloud heaps take on what can be described as a ‘grain of rice’ appearance. Take note when you see them because along with cumulonimbus, cirrocumulus clouds are the least seen among the ten main cloud types.
Unlike cirrus and cirrostratus clouds, cirrocumulus clouds don’t typically produce sun halos, though they are capable of iridescence and coronas on the rare occasion. Additionally, these are the only clouds in the high level that cannot be found in the fibrous form.
If you see a cirrocumulus cloud, the chances are good that there are cirrus and/or cirrostratus clouds nearby or even adjacent. Similar to altocumulus clouds, cirrocumulus can also take on a mackerel sky effect, resembling fish scales. If you’re lucky enough to see a mackerel sky at sunset, you’re in for a treat.
Cirrocumulus Cloud Facts
Cloud Level (Étage): High
Altitude/Height: 5-15km (16,000-49,000 ft)
Latin Term: Derives from cirro-, meaning curl, and cumulo-, meaning heap
Abbreviation: Cirrocumulus can be abbreviated as Ccc
Cloud Color: White to light gray
Precipitation Potential: Virga only
Sky Cover: Partly sunny to mostly sunny
Cloud Frequency: Uncommon
Cirrocumulus Cloud Species
Cirrocumulus clouds have four associated cloud species: castellanus, floccus, lenticularis, and stratiformis.
Rising towers, turrets
Puffy, ragged tufts
Lens-shaped, resembling a UFO
Horizontal, layer-like form
Cirrocumulus Cloud Varieties
Cirrocumulus clouds have two associated cloud varieties: lacunosus and undulatus.
Perforated, round frayed holes
Wavelike, undulating
Cirrocumulus Cloud Supplementary Features
Cirrocumulus clouds have three associated supplementary features: cavum, mamma, and virga.
Fallstreak hole, hole punch
Sac-like, resembling cow udders
Evaporating rain strips
Cirrocumulus Cloud Accessories & Other Clouds
Altocumulus clouds don’t have any associated accessory clouds or other clouds associated with this cloud type. ⛅
Mutated from a homogenitus
Similar Cloud Types
Both cirrocumulus and cirrus clouds are found at the same altitude, and a lot of times when observing cirrocumulus clouds, you’ll see cirrus clouds in close proximation. The biggest difference between the two is cirrocumulus clouds contain puffy cloudlets and look like grains of rice, where cirrus clouds are more fibrous, hair-like, or wispy in nature.
Cirrocumulus vs. Cirrus
Cirrocumulus and cirrostratus clouds are both found at the same heights and can be seen in close proximation with one another. If you’re deciding between the two, and the cloud in question is featureless, or perhaps somewhat fibrous, chances are you’re observing a cirrostratus cloud. Cirrocumulus clouds contain more features than cirrostratus clouds, whereas a cirrostratus cloud is a layer.
Cirrocumulus vs. Cirrostratus
Cirrocumulus and altocumulus clouds share many of the same cloud species, but cirrocumulus clouds are higher in altitude, so their cloud patches appear smaller. Cirrocumulus clouds are more often than not seen with cirrus and cirrostratus clouds in near proximity. Altocumulus clouds are also much more commonly observed than cirrocumulus. It’s more common to see the entire sky covered by a layer of altocumulus clouds than cirrocumulus clouds.