Altocumulus Stratiformis Clouds

June 17, 2004

Ac-280703c copy

Provided and copyright by: Thierry Lombry
Summary author: Thierry Lombry

This enchanting sky showing a patch-work of altocumulus clouds was taken on the afternoon of July 28, 2003, from Livange, Luxembourg. The proper name for this type of mid-level cloud, according to cloud atlases, is altocumulus stratiformis perlucidus (light shining through) undulatus (having waves). Altocumulus is the Genera; stratiformis is the Species and perlucidus and undulatus are Varieties. Some cumulus fractus clouds (lower in the sky) are also visible close to the horizon. Altocumulus consists of supercooled water droplets and, on occasion, frozen cloud particles. These clouds are generally rather thin (less than 100m thick), and their orientation may result from changes in wind direction (windshear).

Photo details: Canon Powershot, S30 digicam, 50 ISO, mode automatic.

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