M8 Clouds: Altocumulus (Ac) with tufts or sproutings

M8

Altocumulus with sproutings in the form of small towers or battlements,

or

altocumulus having the appearance of cumuliform tufts.

Additional Views:

Notes: M8 Altocumulus has sproutings in the form of small towers or battlements, called Altocumulus Castellanus (ACCAS). The cloud elements have a common base and appear to be arranged in lines. These characteristics are evident when the cloud is seen from the side.

Another form of M8 clouds (Altocumulus Flocus) are white or grey scattered tufts with rounded and slightly bulging upper parts. These clouds resemble very small ragged cumulus and are often accompanied by fibrous trials of virga from their bases. Sometimes this appearance results from the dissipation of the base of ACCAS and may itself dissipate, leaving behind very white trails of cirrus. This is an example of an ice crystal cloud (cirrus) below a liquid based cloud (altocumulus). As long as the altocumulus is present then this is a M8 cloud. If all that remains is the white trails of cirrus then the cloud becomes H1.

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