altocumulus

views updated May 14 2018

altocumulus From the Latin altum, ‘height’ and cumulus, ‘heap’, the name of a genus of clouds composed largely of water droplets and consisting of grey-white sheets, or banded layers and rolls, which may also be broken up into cells. Sometimes it has a banded appearance, occasionally giving a mackerel-sky effect; this is probably associated with strong vertical wind shear in middle altitudes. See also cloud classification.

altocumulus

views updated May 08 2018

altocumulus From the Latin altum (height) and cumulus (heap). A genus of cloud composed largely of water droplets, and consisting of grey-white sheets, or banded layers and rolls, which may also be broken up into cells. Sometimes it has a banded appearance, occasionally giving a mackerel-sky effect; this is probably associated with strong vertical wind shear in middle altitudes. See also CLOUD CLASSIFICATION.