Spissatus

Definition

A species of cirrus that is dense enough to appear greyish rather than white when viewed against the sun. It is the thickest form of cirrus and often occurs as the remains of a cumulonimbus anvil.

Field note

Cirrus spissatus is a forensic cloud: it usually means a cumulonimbus has recently dissipated nearby, or is still present upwind. Its appearance is not a frontal signal.

Related terms

• Cirrus · Cirrus
• Uncinus · uncinus
• Incus · incus