mackerel sky dappled with rows of small white fleecy typically cirrocumulus clouds, like the pattern on a mackerel fish's back.

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Mackerel sky dappled with rows of small white fleecy typically cirrocumulus clouds, like the pattern on a mackerel fish's back. Cirrocumulus clouds are high clouds, above 6000 metres where the temperatures are several tens of degrees Celsius below zero. Composed of tiny ice crystals and are thin and translucent. Since there is not much water vapour at that altitude, the growth of ice crystals in the cloud is limited and the crystals can remain suspended atop some ascending air. The ice crystals may occasionally fall from the clouds, but they tend to evaporate on the way down and seldom reach the ground. Observation of cloud change is an important tool in weather forecasting. The folklore of 'Mackerel sky, not twenty-four hours dry' reflects the experience and wisdom passed down by people over the years.

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Size: 3651px × 5477px
Location: Lincolnshire
Photo credit: © Steve Welsh / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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