Predicting Weather By The Moon - Xavier University Libraries

and cirrus means a storm coming. When cirrus is very
sparse and doesn’t cover the sky it can mean very good
settled weather, but this is not a common sight.. Watch to
see if it changes. The bad weather sign is when cirrus starts
to spread from one horizon to the other, above the bunchy
cumulus. From the first sign of cirrus, expect weather to
worsen in 36 hours.
Cirrus heralds the beginning of a depression and also
the end of one. Slowness to form over the whole sky indicates
bad weather for a long duration, but quick formation
means a storm that will last only a day. If it has been stormy
CLOUD
TYPE
CumulusPuffy Altocumulus
Cirrus
DESCRIPTIONLEVEL PREDICTION
Cloud
mountains,
towers
Streaky,
still,
wispy
Low
to
high
StartusMisty Low
Mammatus
Altocumlus
( mackerel
sky)
Contrails
Clumps
of
cloud
protruding
downward
Resembles
scales
of
fish
Straight
lines
behind
aircraft
Predicting
159
Settled
weather,
unless
increasing
and
becoming
more
dense.
Disperse
in
the
evening.
Life:
5-15
minutes
M iddle
Often
heralds
a frontal
depression.
H igh
Heralds
a depression.
Low
to
middle
When
stratus
moves
in
behind
middle
and
high
level
clouds,
expect
rain
or
snow
soon.
Strong
winds,
hail,
lightni
ng,
possible
tornado
threat.
M iddle
Indicates
changing
weather.
H igh
Very
dry
conditions.