cirrostratus
cirrus // latin, “curl”or “tuft of hair”
the highest clouds in the atmosphere
typically forming between 20,000 - 40,000 feet (183 olympic-sized swimming pools end to end)
thin, sheet-like veils in the upper atmosphere, typically composed of ice crystals.
in a sunset, cirrostratus diffuse sunlight and produce vibrant reds, oranges, and pinks.
sometimes produce rings around the sun or moon - halo phenomena. sometimes they are so thin that the halo is the only indication that a cirrostraus cloud is in the sky.
as these clouds thicken and lower, they may eventually evolve into altostratus or nimbostratus clouds, signaling the likelihood of precipitation.