Altocumulus volutus

Altocumulus volutus
Distant altocumulus volutus cloud
Abbreviation	Ac vol
Genus	Altocumulus
Species	Volutus
Altitude	2,000-7,000 m (7,000-23,000 ft)
Appearance	small, single, horizontal, rolling mid-level altocumulus line
Precipitation	None

Altocumulus volutus is a type of altocumulus cloud. This cloud type has the appearance of a single, small, horizontal, rolling line, it is relatively rare compared with its counterpart stratocumulus volutus, This cloud does not attach to any other cloud. It may or may not appear with altocumulus clouds of different species. When found in a thunderstorm, it forms when cold air from a thunderstorm's downdraft makes the already present warm and moist air rise, expanding and cooling as it rises. It then condenses, although the most likely scenario is that it condenses into a shelf cloud or roll cloud, rather than an altocumulus volutus cloud. When found in environments where it is not associated with a thunderstorm, it forms because of wind shear (difference of wind speed and direction between the mid-levels of the atmosphere and the surface).