Perlucidus (cloud variety)

Perlucidus is a cloud variety that generally appears in only two cloud types, those being altocumulus and stratocumulus. Perlucidus cloud is easily recognizable by the small ubiquitous gaps that let higher clouds be seen.^[1] It forms when shallow convection starts in a cloud layer that did not previously have perlucidus variety characteristics.^[2] The gaps between the cloud indicate regions where air is sinking.^[3] This cloud variety may appear either as a translucent cloud or an opaque cloud.

Perlucidus
Altocumulus perlucidus
Abbreviation	pe
Genus	stratocumulus, altocumulus
Variety	perlucidus
Altitude	500-7,000 m (2,000-23,000 ft)
Appearance	Cloud cover with small gaps that make higher cloud types be visible
Precipitation	Depends on the cloud type this variety is appearing in

See also

• Opacus (cloud variety)

• Translucidus (cloud variety)