What does cirrocumulus mean in Latin

The name cirrocumulus stratiformis is derived from Latin, meaning “stretched out”. Cirrocumulus stratiformis occurs as very small cirrocumulus clouds that cover a large part of the sky. This type of cloud always occurs in thin layers.

What does cirrus mean in Latin What does Cumulus mean in Latin?

From the Latin cirrus, which means a lock of hair, a tuft of horsehair, a bird’s tuft. Cirrocumulus. From the Latin cirrus and cumulus.

Where does the word Cirrocumulus come from?

1650s, “a heap,” from Latin cumulus “a heap, pile, mass, surplus,” from PIE *ku-m-olo-, suffixed shortened form of root *keue- “to swell.” Meteorological use for “rounded mass of clouds, snowy white at the top with a darker, horizontal base” is attested by 1803.

What does cumulonimbus mean in Latin?

Cumulonimbus (from Latin cumulus, “heaped” and nimbus, “rainstorm”) is a dense, towering vertical cloud, forming from water vapor carried by powerful upward air currents.

What is the meaning of cirrocumulus cloud?

Definition of cirrocumulus : a high-altitude cloud form consisting of small white rounded masses usually in regular groupings — see cloud illustration.

What does cirrostratus mean in Latin?

The name cirrostratus fibratus is derived from Latin, meaning “fibrous”. … Cirrostratus fibratus may often develop from either cirrus fibratus or cirrus spissatus cloud. Precipitation is often imminent behind these clouds; however, they are not a precipitation-producing cloud.

What does Nimbus mean in clouds?

Definition of nimbus 1a : a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god or goddess when on earth. b : a cloud or atmosphere (as of romance) about a person or thing. 2 : an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign. 3a : a rain …

What's another word for cumulonimbus?

Also called thundercloud, thunderclouds, thunderhead.

What does a cumulonimbus look like?

Cumulonimbus clouds are menacing looking multi-level clouds, extending high into the sky in towers or plumes. … The base of the cloud is often flat, with a very dark wall-like feature hanging underneath, and may only lie a few hundred feet above the Earth’s surface.

What type of cloud is a cirrocumulus?

Cirrocumulus is one of the three main genus-types of high-altitude tropospheric clouds, the other two being cirrus and cirrostratus. They usually occur at an altitude of 5 to 12 km (16,000 to 39,000 ft). Like lower-altitude cumuliform and stratocumuliform clouds, cirrocumulus signifies convection.

Article first time published on

What is the shape of cirrocumulus?

Cirrocumulus clouds are small rounded puffs that usually appear in long rows high in the sky. Cirrocumulus are usually white, but sometimes appear gray.

What does Strato mean in clouds?

The word stratus comes from the Latin prefix strato-, meaning “layer”. Stratus clouds may produce a light drizzle or a small amount of snow. These clouds are essentially above-ground fog formed either through the lifting of morning fog or through cold air moving at low altitudes over a region.

How do you say cirrocumulus clouds?

cirrocumulus cloud Pronunciation. cir·rocu·mu·lus cloud.

How do you spell Cirrocumulus?

noun, plural cir·ro·cu·mu·lus.

What are cirrocumulus clouds sometimes called mackerel?

Cirrocumulus are usually white, but sometimes appear gray. Cirrocumulus clouds are the same size or smaller than the width of your littlest finger when you hold up your hand at arm’s length. If these clouds cover a lot of the sky, it is called a “mackerel sky” because the sky looks like the scales of a fish.

What does Oktas stand for?

In meteorology, an okta is a unit of measurement used to describe the amount of cloud cover at any given location such as a weather station. Sky conditions are estimated in terms of how many eighths of the sky are covered in cloud, ranging from 0 oktas (completely clear sky) through to 8 oktas (completely overcast).

Is Nimbus a God?

The nimbus, or halo, usually pictured as a luminous figure around the head of a god or holy person, is clearly related in some instances to the sun and solar divinities. It belonged primarily to the gods but could be given to royalty by the grace of the chief divinity, Ahura Mazdā. …

What is meant by a Cumulo?

[ˈkumulo ] masculine noun. mucchio) heap ⧫ pile.

What are clouds named after?

Most of our names for clouds come from Latin and are usually a combination of the following prefixes and suffixes: Stratus/strato: flat/layered and smooth. Cumulus/cumulo: heaped up/puffy, like cauliflower. Cirrus/cirro: high up/wispy.

Do altostratus clouds rain?

Altostratus clouds are “strato” type clouds (see below) that possess a flat and uniform type texture in the mid levels. … However, altostratus clouds themselves do not produce significant precipitation at the surface, although sprinkles or occasionally light showers may occur from a thick alto- stratus deck.

What does the nimbus cloud look like?

A nimbus cloud is dark and already has rain or snow falling from it. These clouds can be puffy or look like a blanket, but they are always dark and usually seen during a thunderstorm along with thunder and lightning.

What is cumulonimbus for kids?

Cumulonimbus clouds are large, tall clouds that are dark on the bottom and usually produce rain and thunderstorms. In fact, they are sometimes called thunderstorm clouds, but they can also bring different kinds of weather, including hail and snow showers, which might even get you out of school for a snow day!

What is the rarest cloud?

Scientists have called noctilucent clouds “the highest, driest, coldest, and rarest clouds on Earth.” Indeed, most of the planet’s clouds form in the troposphere, the layer of atmosphere closest to the ground, and occasionally in the stratosphere.

How big is a cumulonimbus cloud?

A cumulonimbus cloud forms at heights less than 20,000 feet, but can extend upwards much further. The top of a cumulonimbus cloud can reach 39,000 feet or sometimes higher into the atmosphere. In the lower level of the cumulonimbus cloud it is mostly made up water droplets.

What does cumulonimbus mean in geography?

Definition: Cumulonimbus clouds are huge storm clouds that can reach up to 30,000 feet or 9000 m in height. These clouds will often produce thunder and lightning. …

What makes a cumulonimbus cloud?

Cumulonimbus clouds are a type of cumulus cloud associated with thunder storms and heavy precipitation. … This is caused by ionized droplets in the clouds rubbing against each other. The static charge built up create lightning. Cumulonimbus clouds need warm and humid conditions to form.

Is cumulonimbus an adjective?

Cumulonimbus is a noun. A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality.

What is the difference between cirrocumulus and altocumulus?

Altocumulus. Cirrocumulus and altocumulus clouds share many of the same cloud species, but cirrocumulus clouds are higher in altitude, so their cloud patches appear smaller. … It’s more common to see the entire sky covered by a layer of altocumulus clouds than cirrocumulus clouds.

What are cirrus cirrostratus and cirrocumulus clouds made of?

Cirrus, cirrostratus and cirrocumulus clouds are made of ice crystals. All three clouds have a prefix of ‘cirro’, which is a synonym for ‘high’….

Do cumulonimbus clouds produce precipitation?

8.1 Introduction. The cumulonimbus cloud, or thunderstorm, is a convective cloud or cloud system that produces rainfall and lightning. It often produces large hail, severe wind gusts, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. Many regions of the earth depend almost totally upon cumulonimbus clouds for rainfall.

How high is a cirrostratus cloud?

Cirrostratus cloudVarietyDuplicatus UndulatusAltitude6,000 – 13,000 m (20,000 – 43,000 ft)ClassificationFamily A (High-level)AppearanceThin, transparent, high-altitude layer capable of producing a halo.

You Might Also Like