Altostratus undulatus cloud explained

Altostratus undulatus cloud
Image Location:Cirrus and Altostratus undulatus.JPG
Image Name:Cirrus and Altostratus undulatus clouds
Abbreviation:As
Genus:Alto- (high), -stratus (layered)
Species:undulatus (waves)
Altitude M:2400-6100
Altitude Ft:8,000-20,000
Level:medium
Appearance:Wavy, like ripples in a pond
Precipitation:Usually no

The altostratus undulatus is a type of altostratus cloud with signature undulations within it. These undulations may be visible (usually as "wavy bases"), but frequently they are indiscernible to the naked eye. These formations will generally appear in the early stages of destabilizing return flows, especially over the southern plains of the United States, when the surface temperature is still relatively cool.[1] The wavy strips of clouds are generally near an inversion surface.

Also referred to as billow clouds, wind row clouds, or wave clouds, variations of the undulatus can be elements that have merged or single elements that have stretched through the sky.

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Altostratus Undulatus . Stormeyes.org . 2008-10-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013133239/http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/SkyPix/asundula.htm. 13 October 2008 . live.