Cirrocumulus (Cc) – Derekscope

These high-altitude clouds are often described as a “mackerel sky” because their rippled, patchy appearance resembles fish scales.

Cirrocumulus (Cc) ~ High Clouds
Heights in metres: above 5,000 metres to 13,700 metres.
Height in feet: between 16,500 feet and 45,000 feet.
Height in miles: between 3 miles and 8½ miles.
Height in kilometres: between 4.8km and 13.7km.

Cirrocumulus (Cc)
– high-altitude clouds that are quite distinct from altocumulus or altostratus.
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Key features of Cirrocumulus clouds
– Small, white patches or grains, often in rippling or “fish scales” patterns.
– No shadows are cast because they are so thin and high.
– Sometimes arranged in rows or sheets, giving a “mackerel sky” effect at high altitude.
– Made mostly of ice crystals, unlike lower clouds which are mostly water droplets.
– Usually fair weather, but can indicate a change in weather in the next 12–24 hours, often preceding warm fronts.
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Simple way to remember
– Think of cirrocumulus as tiny, high-up “frosted grains” in the sky ~ very different from the bigger, chunkier altocumulus clouds below.
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