Cirrocumulus floccus

Cirrocumulus floccus is a type of cirrocumulus cloud. The name cirrocumulus floccus is derived from Latin, meaning "a lock of wool".^[1] Cirrocumulus floccus appears as small tufts of cloud with rounded heads, but ragged bottoms. The cloud can produce virga, precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground.^[2] Like cirrocumulus castellanus, cirrocumulus floccus is an indicator of atmospheric instability at the level of the cloud.^[3] In fact, cirrocumulus floccus can form from cirrocumulus castellanus, being the evolutionary state after the base of the original cloud has dissipated.^[4]

Cirrocumulus floccus
Cirrocumulus floccus clouds
Abbreviation	Cc flo
Symbol
Genus	Cirro- (curl) -cumulus (heaped)
Species	floccus (lock of wool)
Altitude	Above 6,000 m (Above 20,000 ft)
Classification	Family A (High-level)
Appearance	small tufts
Precipitation	Occasionally virga

See also

• List of cloud types