Altocumulus mackerel sky

Altocumulus mackerel sky

Infobox Cloud
name = Altocumulus mackerel sky
image location = Mackerelskylincolnshire.jpg

Lincolnshire, England.
abbreviation = Ac
symbol = CM_8.png genus= Alto- ("mediumhigh")
-cumulus ("heaped")
species=
variety=
altitude_m = 2400-6100
altitude_ft = 8000-20,000
level = medium
appearance = Clumps and rolls of clouds that resemble mackerel scales altogether
precipitation =

A mackerel sky is an indicator of moisture (the cloud) and instability (the 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," and "Mackerel sky, mackerel sky. Never long wet and never long dry." The phrase 'mackerel sky' came from the fact that it looks similar to the markings of an adult king mackerel.


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mackerel sky — n. A sky filled with rows of cirrocumulus or small altocumulus clouds. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mackerel sky — n. a sky covered with rows of small, fleecy, cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, suggesting the streaks on a mackerel s back …   English World dictionary

  • mackerel sky — a type of altocumulus clouds, indicating moisture and instability; hence the saying Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, Never long wet and never long dry . Presumably named for the wavy pattern as seen on mackerel flanks …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • mackerel sky — sky dappled with small cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds that look like the markings of mackerel …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mackerel sky — mack′erel sky′ n. mer a sky marked by cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds scattered like the markings on a mackerel s back • Etymology: 1660–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • mackerel sky — noun Date: 1667 a sky covered with rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds resembling the patterns on a mackerel s back …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mackerel sky — noun a sky filled with a regular pattern of altocumulus clouds somewhat resembling the skin of a mackerel …   Wiktionary

  • mackerel sky — A condition in which there are rows of altocumulus or cirrocumulus clouds in the sky, which look like scales of a mackerel fish …   Aviation dictionary

  • mackerel sky — an extensive group of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, esp. when well marked in their arrangement: so called because of a resemblance to the scales on a mackerel. [1660 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • mackerel sky — /mækərəl ˈskaɪ/ (say makuhruhl skuy) noun 1. sky nearly covered with high, small, white, fleecy clouds arranged in bands. 2. an extensive group of altocumulus clouds arranged in regular waves with blue sky showing in the gaps …  

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