Altocumulus (alto, "high", cumulus, "heaped") is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus.
Altocumulus often are seen preceding a cold front, and their presence on a warm, humid, summer morning frequently signals the development of thunderstorms later in the day.
One form of altocumulus, altocumulus lenticularis (Lenticular cloud) is frequently reported as "UFOs".
Stratus clouds form in sheets or layers (stratus is the Latin word for layer) and occur when relatively large areas of moist air rise gently in a stable atmosphere to a level where condensation occurs.
The extent of the cloud is also determined by the steepness and elevation of the landfornn, the strength of the wind, and the direction of the wind relative to the landform.
Altocumulus undulatus is distinguished from altostratus undulatus by its discernible cumuliform texture.
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