Clouds of the Day - Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Cumulus and cirrus provide a beautiful background of vertical and horizontal dimensions. The three dimensions of one in the vertical vertical (z) and two in the horizontal (x and y) give us our three dimensional world. Add time and weather displays four dimensions. When observing the weather we are immersed in four dimensions of action. Notice the action in the horizontal and vertical and how it changes with time.

Altocumulus floccus with a band of cirrus in the background.

A close-up of altocumulus floccus. The floccus looks like flocks of wool.

The altocumulus floccus are in the lower left while streaks of cirrus are strung-out along the high altitude jet stream winds aloft. The bands of cirrus dominate the top half of the photo and the lower right. A thin veil of cirrus is visible over the top half of the photo while in the lower right are cirrus spissatus (dense cloud patches) trailing streamers of ice crystals.