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Cirrus clouds are high-altitude clouds that form above 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) in the sky, typically in the upper troposphere. These clouds are composed entirely of ice crystals because of the cold temperatures at such high elevations. Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy, and often appear as delicate streaks or patches. They usually look like white feathers or threads stretching across the sky. While they don’t bring precipitation to the ground, cirrus clouds can indicate a change in the weather, often serving as an early warning of a front or storm system moving in.

Fun Facts

Name Origin: The name "Cirrus" comes from the Latin word "cirrus," meaning "a curl" or "a lock of hair," which describes the thin, wispy, and curled appearance of these clouds.
No Precipitation: Cirrus clouds themselves don’t cause precipitation on the ground. However, they can signal that weather changes are on the way, particularly if they begin to thicken or lower in altitude.
Sky Streaks: Cirrus clouds often appear as streaks or filaments across the sky, stretching from horizon to horizon. These streaks are made of ice crystals that are carried by strong upper-level winds.
Indicator of Weather: While cirrus clouds are generally a sign of fair weather, their presence can also indicate that a change in the weather is coming, especially if they thicken and develop into lower cloud types, like cirrostratus or altostratus, which can bring rain or snow.
Halo Effect: Similar to cirrostratus clouds, cirrus clouds can also cause halos around the sun or moon due to the refraction of light through their ice crystals, though these halos are typically less pronounced.

Where/When Best to Spot Them

Best Location: Cirrus clouds are visible worldwide and can form anywhere at high altitudes. They are often seen in temperate and polar regions, especially when weather fronts or storm systems are developing. Since they form so high in the atmosphere, they are commonly seen in places where weather is actively changing or transitioning.
Best Time to Spot Them: Cirrus clouds are typically visible during the day, especially when the sky is clear, and the weather is fair. They often appear in the late morning or afternoon as thin wisps, signaling that a change in weather could be on the way. Cirrus clouds are most common when a warm front is approaching or when a weather system, such as a storm, is starting to develop. They are also seen in the wake of an active weather front, often indicating that the worst of the weather has passed, but a shift in conditions is still occurring.

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