Altocumulus Castellanus have, at the top, cumuliform protuberances in the form of small towers, which generally give these clouds a jagged appearance. These small towers, some of which are taller than wide, usually stand on a common base and appear to be arranged in line. They are rare.
Altocumulus castellanus | |
Abbreviation | ACCAS |
Family | B |
Type | Altocumulus |
Occurrence | Worldwide |
Altitude | 2000-5000m |
Formation | Lifting of a large air mass followed by condensation combined with atmospheric instability |
Precipitation | None |
Potential Hazards | May signal development of thunderstorms. On rare occasions, may grow into cumulonimbus. This was observed from Ontario, California, on Wed. Aug. 29, 2012. Altocumulus castellanus clouds, based at about 15,000 feet, grew into mature thunderstorms with tops of 35,000 feet, within the space of an hour. |
Clouds | |
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High Clouds (Family A): | Cirrus (Ci) • Cirrus aviaticus • Cirrus intortus • Cirrus radiatus • Cirrus uncinus • Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz • Cirrostratus (Cs) • Cirrocumulus (Cc) • Pileus • Contrail |
Middle Clouds (Family B): | Altostratus (As) • Altostratus undulatus • Altocumulus (Ac) • Altocumulus undulatus • Altocumulus mackerel sky • Altocumulus castellanus • Altocumulus lenticularis |
Low Clouds (Family C): | Stratus (St) • Orographic stratus • Fog • Nimbostratus (Ns) • Cumulus humilis (Cu) • Cumulus mediocris (Cu) • Stratocumulus (Sc) |
Vertical Clouds (Family D): | Cumulonimbus (Cb) • Cumulonimbus incus • Cumulonimbus calvus • Cumulonimbus with mammatus • Cumulus congestus • Cumulus castellanus • Pyrocumulus • Pyrocumulonimbus |