Clouds of the Day - Friday, June 30, 2023 - Altocumulus

The sky can change quickly in the summer. These clouds appeared during the early evening. They look like pillows lined in rows with denser clouds merged into a single layer. These are Altocumulus - mid-level Cumulus clouds.

The photo below is a closer view of altocumulus. In this photo the rows are not pronounced which indicates the rising motion is more random without distinct wave action. The clouds are created by rising air and the clear areas occur where there is sinking air.

Rows of cumulus clouds in waves are visible in the lower right of this photo. The waves are similar to waves or ripples that form when a rock is thrown into water. The atmosphere often contains waves due to differences in wind direction and wind speed between adjacent layers. They are only visible if clouds form but anyone who has flown can testify that waves occur in clear air because turbulence is felt by the passengers.

The photo below has several different types of mid-level Altocumulus clouds. They are Altocumulus floccus, Altocumulus castellanus, and Altocumulus stratiformis. The stratiformis are in a layer while the others are discrete Altocumulus cells in groups. These forms are also in the photos above.

The sky became more dramatic as the setting Sun reflected off the cloud bases as shown below. These Altocumulus show the remnants of being aligned in rows.

If you enjoy taking cloud photos keep in mind that the best time of a sunny day to take photos is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. That is when sunlight is softer often wit;h shades of red or yellow. The time before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. is when the Sun is lower in the horizon and provides interesting shadows that add depth to your photos. The closer you are to sunrise or sunset the more dramatic the photos may become. The hard part is not being able to control the weather or the lighting. And remember, always look behind you for a good shot too.