A Day of Cirrostratus

All of the photos from today were taken at the same time from the same location. The camera was just pointed in different directions. Viewing the sky can be a pleasant past time and may generate many questions about why and clouds form and what causes the different shapes.

The photos from today reveal classic Cirrostratus clouds. Cirrostratus indicate the saturation of a broad layer of the atmosphere. The cloud layer is very thin and the ice crystals only dim the sunlight. This photo and the one about it were taken about a minute apart. Notice the difference in the position of the jet CONTRAIL between the photos.

Cirrostratus with a CONTRAIL

Cirrus fibratus and cirrostratus

The photo above features long thin strands of ice crystals blown by strong steady high winds aloft. The clouds were stretched across a wide area of the sky with an even texture because of the steady winds. As with all Cirrostratus, these clouds dimmed the sunlight but did not block it.

Cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrus fibratus, a CONTRAIL (Condensation Trail)

Here is more Cirrostratus in the form of sheets and filaments. The CONTRAIL is long and distinct indicated the layer were it is flying is moist, which slows the sublimation of the ice crystals. Sublimation occurs when ice changes directly to water vapor without first melting into a liquid. Water changes from water droplets to a vapor by evaporation.

One more look at the Cirrus sheet shows Cirrostratus and Cirrus fibratus.