altocumulus

Thân thiện

A small airplane flies through a layer of altocumulus clouds.

Definition

Noun: A type of mid-level cloud, appearing as white or gray patches or layers composed of rounded masses or rolls. It typically forms at altitudes between 6,500 and 20,000 feet (approximately 2 to 6 kilometers).

Usage

The word altocumulus is used specifically in meteorology to classify and describe a particular cloud formation. It is a technical term. - The sky was dotted with altocumulus, indicating a change in the weather. - Pilots reported a layer of altocumulus at 10,000 feet.

Advanced Usage

• Altocumulus castellanus: A specific subtype where the cloud exhibits turret-like upward developments, often indicating atmospheric instability and potential for thunderstorm formation later in the day.
  • The presence of altocumulus castellanus suggested convective activity aloft.
• Altocumulus lenticularis: A lens-shaped subtype often formed by wind over mountainous terrain, sometimes mistaken for "flying saucers."
  • The stationary altocumulus lenticularis clouds formed over the mountain range.

Variants and Related Words

• Altocumulus cloud (noun phrase): The full descriptive term.
• Ac (abbreviation): The standard meteorological abbreviation for altocumulus, used on weather charts.
  • The weather map showed extensive Ac over the region.

Synonyms

• Mid-level cumuliform cloud: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its altitude and puffy, heap-like structure.

Different Meanings

The word altocumulus has only one specific meaning related to cloud classification. It does not have other common definitions.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a cumulus cloud at an intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles

Từ đồng nghĩa

• altocumulus cloud