Altocumulus : mackerel sky by AnnDixon
AnnDixon

Altocumulus : mackerel sky by

This was taken two days ago in Chester UK, it was early morning and had been a clear night with a heavy dew, I don’t ever remember seeing this type of clouds here before,
Thank you to MarjorieB this is what it is :-
A mackerel sky or buttermilk sky is an indicator of moisture (the cloud) and instability (the cirrus-cumulus form) at intermediate levels (2400–6100 m, 8000-20,000 ft). If the lower atmosphere is stable and no moist air moves in, the weather will most likely remain dry. However, moisture at lower levels combined with surface temperature instability can lead to rainshowers or thunderstorms should the rising moist air reach this layer. In the winter it is often said to precede snowstorms and flurries. Mackerel skies are spoken of in the popular bywords, “Mackerel in the sky, three days dry,” “Mackerel sky, mackerel sky. Never long wet and never long dry,” and the nautical weather rhyme, “Mare’s tails and mackerel scales / Make tall ships carry low sails.” The phrase ‘mackerel sky’ came from the fact that it looks similar to the markings of an adult king mackerel.

Canon EOS 450D

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Tags

clouds, sky

Comments

  • AnnDixon
    AnnDixon9 months ago

  • Bradley Shawn  Rabon
    Bradley Shawn ...9 months ago

    What marvelous clouds. Lovely image.

  • Thank you so very much,
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • Astrid Ewing Photography
    Astrid Ewing P...9 months ago

    Beautiful formations!

  • Thank you so very much,
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • lynn carter
    lynn carter9 months ago

    these clouds amaze me, l don’t know what they are called xx

  • Thank you so very much, I have added the title and information now, thanks to MarjorieB
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • Mike Higgins
    Mike Higgins9 months ago

    great shot, love the look of this very relaxing

  • Thank you so very much, I have added the title and information now, thanks to MarjorieB
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • Larry Trupp
    Larry Trupp9 months ago

    Most unusual cloud formations Ann

  • Thank you so very much, I have added the title and information now, thanks to MarjorieB
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • MarjorieB
    MarjorieB9 months ago

    Looks to me like a fairly thick formation of altocumulus, what we call a mackerel sky. It is a sign that the weather is very changeable. My Grandmother used to say, “Mackerel sky, mackerel sky; never long wet, and never long dry.” Lovely capture.

  • Thank you so very much, I have added the title and information now,
    THANK YOU
    hugs Ann

    – AnnDixon

  • Trish Meyer
    Trish Meyer9 months ago

    Love these “cotton ball” clouds … lovely capture !

  • Larry Trupp
    Larry Trupp9 months ago

    24 August 2011

  • Glenn Cecero
    Glenn Cecero9 months ago

    Superb image! Congratulations on your feature!