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CDS 2024 · PYQ · Physical Geography / Clouds · medium

Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics: 1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples 2. They appear between 20000 feet and 40000 feet above the Earth's surface 3. One of its types is called a 'mackerel sky' because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset

  1. A.Altostratus
  2. B.Cirrostratus
  3. C.Altocumulus
  4. D.Cirrocumulus✓ Correct

Explanation

Cirrocumulus clouds are high-altitude clouds (typically between 20,000 and 40,000 feet) composed of ice crystals, appearing as small, puffy white patches arranged in rows or ripples. When the sky is covered by such clouds in a rippled pattern resembling fish scales, it is colloquially called a 'mackerel sky' — most striking at sunrise or sunset when tinted pink or orange. Altostratus and altocumulus are mid-level clouds, while cirrostratus forms a thin uniform sheet. Hence cirrocumulus is the correct identification.
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