Clouds of the Day - Unusual Cirrus - Wednesday, November 15, 2023

We do not see this every day. The unusual cirrus in the first two photos covered most of the sky in random wave patterns. Our atmosphere is filled invisible with wave. When clouds form the waves become visible. Otherwise, we only know they are there if we feel them while flying.

Also in the first two photos are three CONTRAILS from aircraft aloft. The CONTRAILS are condensed water vapor and ice crystals that form in the exhaust plumes from engine exhaust. As the hot ejected from the engines, water vapor condenses in the cold upper air forming clouds with ice crystals and/or tiny liquid cloud droplets.

Cirrus spissatus

Cirrus spissatus

The cirrus below are seen regularly. Cirrus occur in patches or continuous sheets of stratus or cirrus type clouds above 16,500 feet above sea level.

Cirrus and Cirrus fibratus, and Cirrus uncinus with streamers. The photo is looking north.

This photo is also looking North. The only difference is the photos are taken a few minutes apart.

A wider view of the same area of the sky as shown above.