Plain English Meaning

A thin, wispy sheet of cloud high up in the sky, made of ice crystals. It looks like a pale veil — you can still see the sun or moon through it, often with a ring around it.

Full Definition

A high-altitude cloud type composed of ice crystals, appearing as a thin, sheet-like or veil-like layer that often covers large portions of the sky. Cirrostratus clouds form above 20,000 feet and are transparent enough that the sun or moon remains visible through them, frequently producing a halo effect. Their presence often indicates approaching moisture and a possible warm front within 12 to 24 hours.

Context Anchor

Pilots encounter cirrostratus in weather training, preflight weather review, and visual checks of the sky before or during a .