Chart showing the levels of nine cloud types
(Cumulonimbus is not shown.)

Some altocumulus clouds are fluffy.

The tops and bottoms of altocumulus clouds
are different colors.

Some altocumulus clouds are flat.

Some altocumulus clouds look like
floating jellyfish.

You can see blue skies between the
altocumulus clouds.

Altocumulus clouds are not rain clouds.

Topic(s): Clouds

Quick Facts

Name

altocumulus

Meaning of Name

high mass or high heap

Type

middle level

Shape

clouds form heaps or piles

Cloud Group(s)

middle level clouds; cumulus type

Altitude

6,500 to 20,000 feet

Weather Prediction

fair weather

Facts about Altocumulus Clouds

Altocumulus clouds are white and/or gray in color.

The bottom part of the cloud is darker than the top of the cloud.

Some altocumulus clouds are fluffy.

Some altocumulus clouds are like flat pancakes.

These clouds have mostly water droplets with some ice crystals.

Altocumulus clouds do not produce rain.

They tell that a change in the weather will happen in a day or so.

The altocumulus clouds might line up in rows.

Some altocumulus clouds might look like jellyfish with a fluffy body and strings hanging down.

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Resource information

Altocumulus Clouds | UCAR Center for Science Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://scied.ucar.edu/imagecontent/altocumulus-clouds

A Quick Guide to Cloud Types | WeatherWorks. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.weatherworksinc.com/cloud-types

Weather Facts: Altocumulus | weatheronline.co.uk. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/Altocumulus.htm

Citation information

APA Style: Altocumulus Clouds. (2018, June). Retrieved from Facts4Me at https://www.facts4me.com

MLA Style: "Altocumulus Clouds." Facts4Me. Jun. 2018. https://www.facts4me.com.