Cirrocumulus floccus | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | Cc flo |
Symbol | |
Genus | Cirro- (curl) -cumulus (heaped) |
Species | floccus (lock of wool) |
Altitude | Above 6,000 m (Above 20,000 ft) |
Classification | Family A (High-level) |
Appearance | small tufts |
Precipitation | Occasionally virga |
Cirrocumulus floccus is a type of cirrocumulus cloud. The name cirrocumulus floccus is derived from Latin, meaning "a lock of wool". [1] Cirrocumulus floccus appears as small tufts of cloud with rounded heads, but ragged bottoms. The cloud can produce virga, precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground. [2] Like cirrocumulus castellanus, cirrocumulus floccus is an indicator of atmospheric instability at the level of the cloud. [3] In fact, cirrocumulus floccus can form from cirrocumulus castellanus, being the evolutionary state after the base of the original cloud has dissipated. [4]