Cirrus floccus

{{Short description|Type of cloud}}

{{Infobox Cloud

|image location=Cirrus floccus with virga 001.jpg

|image name=Cirrus floccus clouds

|name=Cirrus floccus

|abbreviation=Ci flo

|symbol=Clouds H2.svg

|genus=Cirrus (curl)

|species=floccus (lock of wool)

|variety=

|altitude_m=Above 5,000

|altitude_ft=Above 16,500

| level = high

|appearance=small tufts

|precipitation=None

}}

Cirrus floccus is a type of cirrus cloud. The name cirrus floccus is derived from Latin, meaning "a lock of wool".{{cite web |title=Definition of floccus |url=http://latinlexicon.org/definition.php?p1=1006366 |accessdate=13 July 2011 |author=Numen - The Latin Lexicon}} Cirrus floccus occurs as small tufts of cloud, usually with a ragged base. The cloud can have virga falling from it, but the precipitation does not reach the ground.{{cite book |last=Dunlop |first=Storm |title=The weather identification handbook |year=2003 |publisher=Lyons Press |location=Guilford, Conn. |isbn=1-58574-857-9 |page=57 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KoZMvgAACAAJ|edition=1st Lyons Press}} The individual tufts are usually isolated from each other.{{cite web |last=Callanan |first=Martin |title=Cirrus floccus |url=http://nephology.eu/cirrus/cirrus-floccus |work=International Cloud Atlas |publisher=nephology.eu |accessdate=13 July 2011 |archive-date=30 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230003830/http://nephology.eu/cirrus/cirrus-floccus |url-status=dead }} At formation, the cirrus floccus clouds are bright white and can be mistaken for altocumulus clouds; however, after a few minutes, the brightness begins to fade, indicating they are made up of pure ice, and are therefore at a higher level.{{cite web |title=Cirrus (floccus) |url=http://www.ias.sdsmt.edu/dept/clouds/1b.htm |work=A Guide to the Sky |accessdate=13 July 2011 |author=Institute of Atmospheric Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210065446/http://www.ias.sdsmt.edu/dept/clouds/1b.htm |archive-date=10 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}