Circummers or circumulus clouds: what are they, how they form and types

Circummers are a Type of cloud that is formed at great altitudegenerally above 6,000 meters. Are distinguished by their appearance of small white or gray patches groupedoften in a pattern reminiscent of the scales of a fish or the wool fleece of a sheep, which has earned them the nickname of “mackerel sky”. Unlike other types of clouds, circoubles are formed by ice crystals instead of water drops, due to the low temperatures in which they are.

These clouds often indicate that a change in meteorological time is approaching, since they usually precede front systems or storms. Although they do not usually produce rainfall, their presence may be a sign that time will become more unstable in the next few hours or days.

Circummeric clouds are formed when Warm and humid air masses ascend to great altitude and find themselves with faster air layers. At that point, temperatures are low enough for water vapor to be directly condensed in tiny Ice crystalsinstead of drops of water. This cooling process is what allows the formation of these clouds.

Often, circouble appear when a stream current or a cold front approaches, since these conditions tend to generate the necessary instability so that the air rises quickly. The characteristic structure of circoum, in the form of small clusters grouped, occurs due to variations in humidity and temperature within the layers of the atmosphere. These differences create small convection cells organized by ice crystals in regular patterns.

It is important to highlight that the circouble clouds They are formed in a dry environmentwhich explains why, despite its presence, They do not bring rain.

In this other post we explain more about how clouds are formed.

Circummers are divided into several types according to their form, structure and disposition. These subtypes are mainly classified based on the visible characteristics in the sky and conform to the following patterns:

• Stratiformis Circoum: They are the most common type. They appear in large extensions that cover a good part of the sky, forming a continuous layer of small clouds grouped. Its appearance is similar to a “mantle of scales”, and are usually well organized in rows or regular patterns.
• Lenticularis Circoum: These clouds have a lens or disc shape, and usually appear in mountainous regions or where air flows quickly on obstacles such as hills or mountains. The flow of air shape waves, and the clouds develop on the ridges of those waves, creating these lenticular clouds, which seem UFOs.
• Castellanus Circoum: They present protuberances or towers that stand out, as if they were small towers at the top of the cloud. This type is usually an indication that there is some atmospheric instability, which could presage changes in the weather.
• Floccus circouble: They are small and spongy clouds, which often have a diffuse base and may seem frayed. Sometimes, they can be accompanied by a shadow at their base, which gives them a more bulky appearance.

Although these surgery subtypes vary in appearance, they all share their location in the high layers of the atmosphere and its formation from ice crystals. Despite being visually different, they play a similar role in the atmosphere, many times as precursors of important weather changes.

The meteorological meaning of the circoum clouds is quite relevant, since its presence usually indicates changes in medium or short -term climatic conditions. Although these clouds do not generate rainfall themselves, they act as anticipated signals of more important phenomena. Here some key points about its meteorological meaning:

• They indicate atmospheric instability: The formation of circoum is often linked to an atmosphere in which there is instability, which means that the air is ascending and cooling quickly. This may be a sign that frontal systems or low pressure areas are approaching, which can bring rains or storms later.
• Precursor of cold fronts or storms: The appearance of circoum can be a warning that a cold front or a storm is on its way. As these pressure systems approach, the clouds tend to evolve, passing from cirro cirro, and eventually to lower layers of layers such as altocumulus or nimbostratos, which are more likely to generate rainfall.
• Change of weather conditions in the next few hours or days: Although circouble do not generate immediate changes over time, their presence generally suggests that weather conditions may become more variable or unstable in the next few hours or days.
• HEIGHT WIND INDICATOR: Circummers can be formed due to strong winds at the top of the atmosphere, especially in the stream currents.
• Moisture changes: Circummers can point out a gradual increase in moisture in the upper layers of the atmosphere. As moisture increases, other types of clouds are probable to less altitude, such as altocumulus or nimbostrates, which can lead to rainfall.
• Presence of currents in jet: These clouds are usually formed in the vicinity of the currents in jet, which are fast air flows in the upper atmosphere. The presence of circouble can be a sign that the stream currents are altering the behavior of air masses, which can influence large -scale climatic patterns.
• Indication of an atmospheric cycle: Circummers can be a transition phase in the development of a more complex cloud system. It is common that, after the appearance of circoum, the sky is gradually covered with thicker and dense clouds that can flow into storm conditions or prolonged rains.

Now that you know what circoumos are, how they are formed and more details, we recommend you read this other article where we explain the different types of clouds: names, characteristics and photos.

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