Meteorology · Clouds — Cirrus / Mares' Tails
Increasing high cirrus ('mares' tails') thickening to cirrostratus is traditionally read as a sign of:
- AAn approaching warm front and a change to wet, windy weather✓ Correct
- BSettled fair weather for a week
- CAn immediate clearing trend
- DA coming heat wave with no change
Explanation
Wispy cirrus (mares' tails) that increase and merge into a cirrostratus sheet mark the leading edge of an advancing warm front/depression. The lowering, thickening cloud sequence that follows usually brings rain and freshening winds within a day, a useful visual forecast at sea.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9); cloud sequences
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