Cirrocumulus lenticularis
Cirrocumulus lenticularis is a type of cirrocumulus cloud. The name cirrocumulus lenticularis is derived from Latin, meaning "like a lentil".[1] Cirrocumulus lenticularis are smooth clouds that have the appearance of a lens or an almond. They usually form at the crests of atmospheric waves, which would otherwise be invisible. This species of cirrocumulus can often be quite elongated and normally has very distinguished boundaries. Cirrocumulus lenticularis forms when stable air is forced upward; this is usually due to orographic features, but can occur away from mountains as well.[2] Irisation can occasionally occur with these clouds.[3]
| Cirrocumulus lenticularis | |
|---|---|
 Cirrocumulus lenticularis clouds, during a cold front | |
| Abbreviation | Cc len |
| Symbol |  |
| Genus | Cirro- (curl) -cumulus (heaped) |
| Species | lenticularis (lens-shaped) |
| Altitude | Above 6,000 m (Above 20,000 ft) |
| Classification | Family A (High-level) |
| Appearance | lens- or almond-shaped |
| Precipitation | Virga only |
References
- Numen - The Latin Lexicon. "Definition of lenticularis". Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- Dunlop, Storm (2003). The weather identification handbook (1st Lyons Press ed.). Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press. p. 66. ISBN 1-58574-857-9.
- Callanan, Martin. "Cirrocumulus lenticularis". International Cloud Atlas. nephology.eu. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
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