Altocumulus castellanus cloud

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Altocumulus castellanus

'
Altitude	2,000 - 6,000 metres (6,500 - 20,000 feet)
Precipitation Cloud?	Yes
Abbreviation	Ac

Altocumulus Castellanus is a family B type cloud.

Altocumulus Castellanus is named for its tower-like projections that billow upwards from the base of the cloud. The base of the cloud can form as low as 2,000 metres (6,500 feet), or as high as 6,000 metres (20,000 feet).

Castellanus clouds are evidence of mid-atmospheric instability and a high mid-altitude lapse rate. They may be a harbinger of bad weather and, if surface-based convection can connect to the mid-tropospheric unstable layer, continued development of castellanus clouds can produce cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms.

Altocumulus Castellanus clouds can indicate rough turbulence for aircraft.

The appearance of Altocumulus Castellanus on a sunny morning announce with high probability the formation of thnderstroms in the afternoon.

[edit] External link

• Altocumulus Castellanus (Source: Australiasevereweather.com)

v • d • e Clouds
High Clouds (Family A):	Cirrus (Ci) • Cirrus uncinus • Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz colombia • Cirrostratus (Cs) • Cirrocumulus (Cc) • Pileus • Contrail
Middle Clouds (Family B):	Altostratus (As) • Altostratus undulatus • Altocumulus (Ac) • Altocumulus undulatus • Altocumulus mackerel sky • Altocumulus castellanus cloud • Altocumulus lenticularis
Low Clouds (Family C):	Stratus (St) • Nimbostratus (Ns) • Cumulus humilis (Cu) • Cumulus mediocris (Cu) • Stratocumulus (Sc)
Vertical Clouds (Family D):	Cumulonimbus (Cb) • Cumulonimbus incus • Cumulonimbus calvus • Cumulonimbus with mammatus • Cumulus congestus • Pyrocumulus  • Pyrocumulonimbus