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Cirrocumulus stratiformis (Cc str) – cirrocumulus are relatively rare clouds made up of both ice crystals and supercooled water droplets at great heights between 16,000 and 45,000ft. They are formed from cirrus or cirrostratus by upward, turbulent air currents in unstable conditions and are therefore often short lived. They are distinguishable from altocumulus by being much higher and therefore smaller in size, and never shaded like their thicker cousins. Cirrocumulus stratiformis is often referred to as ‘mackerel sky’ due to the resemblance of fish scales, and results from large amounts of moisture in the turbulent upper atmosphere, indicating an approaching depression. |
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Cirrocumulus floccus (Cc flo) – cumuliform cirrocumulus formed from cirrus or cirrostratus by strong upward convection. |
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Cirrocumulus lenticularis (Cc len) – a rare cloud not to be confused with its more common cousin altocumulus lenticularis, similarly formed from waves in high air currents in hilly areas. |
| Other forms include cirrocumulus undulatus (undulating waves) and lacunosus (with gaps or holes like a net). | |