Dictionary Definition
altocumulus n : a cumulus cloud at an
intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles [syn: altocumulus
cloud] [also: altocumuli (pl)]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
- physics meteorology A principal medium-level cloud type, white and/or gray in color, which occurs as a layer or patch with a waved aspect, the elements of which appear as laminae, rounded masses, or rolls. These elements usually are sharply outlined, but they may become partly fibrous or diffuse; they may or may not be merged; they generally have shadowed parts; and, by convection, when observed at an angle of more than 30° above the horizon, subtend an angle between 1 degrees and 5 degrees. (Abbreviated Ac.)
Source: FM 3-6 Field Behavior of NBC
Agents.
Translations
cloud
- Croatian: altokumulus
- Russian: высоко-кучевая
Extensive Definition
Altocumulus (Alto, "high", cumulus, "heaped") is
a cloud belonging to a
class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or
patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those
of cirrocumulus and
smaller than those of stratocumulus. Like other
cumulus clouds,
altocumulus signifies convection. It is usually white or gray, and
often occurs in sheets or patches with wavy, rounded masses or
rolls. Altocumulus often are seen preceding a cold front, and their
presence on a warm, humid, summer morning frequently signals the
development of thunderstorms later in the
day. Alto means high and these clouds may cause rain if they are
higher up.
One form of altocumulus, altocumulus lenticularis
(Lenticular
cloud) is frequently reported as "Unidentified
flying objects".The altocumulus approach can sometimes be
frightening, for the cloud has a dark and scary appearance. It
about 8,000 feet to 20,000 feet above ground level.
External links
altocumulus in Catalan: Altocúmulus
altocumulus in Czech: Altocumulus
altocumulus in German: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Modern Greek (1453-):
Υψισωρείτες
altocumulus in Spanish: Altocúmulus
altocumulus in French: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Galician: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Korean: 고적운
altocumulus in Icelandic: Netjuský
altocumulus in Italian: Altocumulo
altocumulus in Kashubian: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Hungarian: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Dutch: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Japanese: 高積雲
altocumulus in Norwegian: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Norwegian Nynorsk:
Altocumulus
altocumulus in Polish: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Portuguese: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Slovak: Altokumulus
altocumulus in Slovenian: Altokumulus
altocumulus in Finnish: Hahtuvapilvi
altocumulus in Swedish: Altocumulus
altocumulus in Vietnamese: Mây trung
tích