From Handwiki - Reading time: 3 min| Cirrocumulus floccus | |
|---|---|
Cirrocumulus floccus clouds | |
| Abbreviation | Cc flo |
| Symbol | |
| Genus | Cirro- (curl) -cumulus (heaped) |
| Species | floccus (lock of wool) |
| Altitude | Above 6,000 m (Above 20,000 ft) |
| Classification | Family A (High-level) |
| Appearance | small tufts |
| Precipitation cloud? | Occasionally virga |
Cirrocumulus floccus is a type of cirrocumulus cloud. The name cirrocumulus floccus is derived from Latin, meaning "a lock of wool".[1] Cirrocumulus floccus appears as small tufts of cloud with rounded heads, but ragged bottoms. The cloud can produce virga, precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground.[2] Like cirrocumulus castellanus, cirrocumulus floccus is an indicator of atmospheric instability at the level of the cloud.[3] In fact, cirrocumulus floccus can form from cirrocumulus castellanus, being the evolutionary state after the base of the original cloud has dissipated.[4]