altocumulus

Patchy white layer

Altocumulus is a type of cloud forming at middle altitudes, typically appearing as white or gray patches, sheets, or layers of rounded masses.

The clouds often arrange themselves in rows or waves, creating a pattern sometimes called a "mackerel sky." Altocumulus generally indicates fair weather but may precede thunderstorms: The altocumulus suggested the weather would hold through the afternoon.

meteorology

cloud

Atmospheric water vapor mass

mid-levelOf moderate rank
formationCreation or arrangement
atmosphereGaseous layer around planets

stratus · cirrus · nimbus · weather · sky · elevation · condensation · troposphere · classification · humidity

appearance

fleece

Wool still on sheep

puffsBrief expulsions of air
patchesPieces sewn over holes
layersStacked levels or coatings

white · gray · rolls · waves · ripples · mackerel · cotton · billowy · clumps · sheets

forecasting

fair weather

Pleasant, dry climate

changeTo make different
instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
thunderstormViolent weather with lightning

prediction · barometer · front · approaching · warning · morning · afternoon · clearing · transition · indicator

varieties

virga

Airborne moisture evaporating midfall

mammaAffectionate term for mother
standingPosition, physical or social
turretProtruding fortified structure

wavelike · banded · cellular · species · subtypes

Categories

skyclouds, blue sky, cloud, sun, moon
Cloudsstratus, cirrus, nimbostratus, lenticular, mammatus
cumulus cloudscotton ball clouds

Opposites

cloud altitude

altocumulusfog

Low-lying cloud cover

ground fog · cumulonimbus · cirrus · cirrocumulus · cirrostratus

Family

altitude, accumulate, accumulation, alto, cumulative, cumulus, accumulative, cumulate, accumulator

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