High-altitude clouds that appear as thin, wispy strands or patches, typically composed of ice crystals and found at altitudes above 20,000 feet.
From Latin 'cirrus' meaning 'curl of hair' or 'tendril'. The meteorological term was introduced by Luke Howard in 1803 as part of his cloud classification system, chosen because these clouds resemble delicate curls or wisps of hair against the sky.
Cirrus clouds are nature's weather predictors - their appearance often signals that a weather front is approaching within 24-48 hours, as they form at the leading edge of warm air masses. These ethereal clouds are made entirely of ice crystals and can stretch for hundreds of miles, creating some of the most beautiful and delicate patterns in the sky.
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