TeXes Science Practice Test

Which cloud type is characterized as high, wispy, and puffy?

1. Cumulus

2. Stratus

3. Cirrocumulus

4. Nimbostratus

The correct answer is: Cirrocumulus

The correct choice is characterized by clouds that form at high altitudes and have a wispy appearance, often resembling small, fluffy patches. Cirrocumulus clouds, formed from ice crystals, are typically white and appear as thin, wispy layers in the sky, sometimes giving a textured look due to their high altitude. They indicate fair weather, but their presence can sometimes suggest a change in the atmosphere, signaling that storm systems may be looming. In contrast, cumulus clouds are also puffy, but they typically form at lower altitudes and are more associated with fair weather and convective activity. Stratus clouds appear as uniform layers covering the sky, usually resulting in overcast conditions rather than a wispy appearance. Nimbostratus clouds are thick, dark clouds that bring continuous rain and do not exhibit a high or wispy profile but instead form a dense, spread-out layer.