Altocumulus Clouds

Altocumulus field over Bowling Green this morning. Altocumulus clouds are composed primarily of water droplets and are located between 6,500 and 20,000 feet above the ground.

Altocumulus may appear as parallel bands or rounded masses. Typically a portion of an altocumulus cloud is shaded, a characteristic which makes them distinguishable from the high-level cirrocumulus.

Altocumulus clouds usually form by convection in an unsettled layer aloft, which may result from gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold front. We just so happen to be expecting the passing of a cold front tomorrow.