cirrostratus
Wispy ice layer
Cirrostratus is a high-altitude cloud formation that appears as a thin, translucent whitish veil covering large portions of the sky.
Unlike the wispy filaments of cirrus or the patchy clumps of cirrocumulus, cirrostratus forms continuous sheets that often produce a halo around the sun or moon.
Its presence frequently signals approaching precipitation within a day or two.
Abstract, not detailed
- aviationFlying or operating aircraft
- flight levelAviation altitude reference
- jetstreamHigh-altitude wind band
- contrailAircraft condensation streak
Forming horizontal sheets
- sheetlikeThin and spread flat
- layeredHaving multiple levels
- veilFabric that obscures
- blanketSoft bed covering
overcast · uniform · continuous · unbroken · widespread · expansive · diffuse · coverage
Solid water formations
- sundogAtmospheric bright spot
- coronaStar's outermost atmosphere
- arcCurved line segment
- ringClosed curve shape
refraction · dispersion · luminous · aureole · light pillar
Permitting diffused light passage
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- gauzyThin and transparent
ethereal · filmy · delicate · milky · hazy · pale · whitish · muted
Advancing temperate air mass
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- frontForward-facing side
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
approaching storm · nimbostratus · overrunning · cyclone · low pressure · forecast · meteorology
high-level
Abstract, not detailed
- aviationFlying or operating aircraft
- flight levelAviation altitude reference
- jetstreamHigh-altitude wind band
stratiform
Forming horizontal sheets
blanket · overcast · uniform · continuous · unbroken · widespread · expansive · diffuse · coverage · enveloping
ice crystals
Solid water formations
ring · refraction · dispersion · luminous · aureole · light pillar
translucent
Permitting diffused light passage
- wispyThin and insubstantial
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
gauzy · ethereal · filmy · delicate · milky · hazy · pale · whitish · muted · soft
warm front
Advancing temperate air mass
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- frontForward-facing side
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
approaching storm · humidity · nimbostratus · overrunning · cyclone · low pressure · forecast · meteorology
- high cloudsmare's tail, mare's tails, wispy cloud, wispy clouds, thin clouds
- layer cloudsaltostratus, nimbostratus
- low cloudsnimbostratus, low ceiling, scud, marine layer, ground fog
cirrostratusstratus
Low, flat cloud layer
stratocumulus · nimbostratus · fog · ground fog · cumulonimbus