Which cloud type is high altitude, wispy, and often formed of ice crystals?

Which cloud type is high altitude, wispy, and often formed of ice crystals?

• A. Cumulus
• B. Nimbostratus
• C. Stratus
• D. Cirrus

Answer: (D)

Cirrus clouds are high-altitude, wispy clouds formed mostly from ice crystals. They hang far up in very cold air, so the moisture freezes into thin, threadlike strands that drift across the sky. This distinguishes them from other common clouds: cumulus are fluffy and rise from warm air at lower levels, stratus form flat, gray layers near the ground or lower atmosphere, and nimbostratus are thick, dark clouds that bring continuous rain.

Cirrus clouds are high-altitude, wispy clouds formed mostly from ice crystals. They hang far up in very cold air, so the moisture freezes into thin, threadlike strands that drift across the sky. This distinguishes them from other common clouds: cumulus are fluffy and rise from warm air at lower levels, stratus form flat, gray layers near the ground or lower atmosphere, and nimbostratus are thick, dark clouds that bring continuous rain.