Floccus

Definition

A cloud species consisting of small, ragged, roughly equal-sized tufts, each with a more or less ragged base, often with virga trails hanging below. It occurs in cirrus, cirrocumulus and altocumulus.

Field note

Floccus with virga is a good indicator of a moist and slightly unstable mid-level layer. It is not itself a storm signal, but it is worth logging alongside the contrail observation.

Related terms

• Altocumulus · Altocumulus
• Castellanus · castellanus
• Virga · virga