Cumulocirrus

/ˌkjuːmjʊloʊˈsɪrəs/ noun

Definition

A type of cloud that combines characteristics of both cumulus clouds (puffy and white) and cirrus clouds (wispy and high-altitude).

Etymology

From Latin 'cumulus' (heap) + 'cirrus' (lock of hair, wisps). Coined in 19th-century meteorology to classify clouds showing hybrid characteristics of multiple cloud types.

Kelly Says

Cumulocirrus clouds are atmospheric shape-shifters that can signal changing weather—they're like nature's warning signs that the weather system is shifting from one pattern to another.

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