C_H9 Cirrocumulus

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Gallery
© F. Norton	© R.K. Pilsbury
© R.D. Whyman

Cirrocumulus is not very common. It is composed of very small elements, which never show shading. They are often arranged in ripples, resembling those left by the ebb-tide in the sand on the seashore (top photograph). The cloud elements and clear spaces may also be arranged in a manner suggesting a net or a honeycomb (middle photograph). The regular pattern of 'waves' and small gaps may resemble the scales of a mackerel, thus giving rise to the popular name 'mackerel sky'. However this name is also occasionally given to high altocumulus clouds. In hilly regions, the cloud may appear in more or less isolated patches which are almond shaped and very white throughout.

The cloud is frequently associated with cirrus or cirrostratus (top and botton photographs). However C_H =9 should only be used when the cirrocumulus predominates.

The clouds in all these photographs had estimated bases of 20,000 ft or above.

Classification
Description: Patches or sheet of very small elements in the form of grains or ripples, never showing shading.	Designation: CH=9 (C1)
	Latin name: Cirrocumulus (Cc) [plus several species and varieties].

Related pages: Cloud classification | C_L guide | C_M guide | C_H guide | Cloud index