Light in the sky · genus
Cirrostratus
A veil around the Sun
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Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Swipe or scroll sideways to explore the photographs. Photos may include other cloud types; names and credits come from their source records.
Spot it
A thin, pale veil that can cover a large area.
How it forms
Ice crystals occupy a broad upper-level layer.
Read the sky
A spreading veil can precede a weather system; timing varies.
Where to look
Look high in the sky, sometimes ahead of frontal cloud.
Little sky facts
Reveal fact 1
The veil can be nearly transparent.
Reveal fact 2
Its ice crystals may produce halos.
Reveal fact 3
It may look smooth or finely fibrous.
Reveal fact 4
A halo is an optical clue, not a guaranteed rain clock.
Try this
Find the edge of the veil without looking directly at the Sun.
Draw your own cloud ↗Read a little deeper
Met Office · formation and weather
Conditions described here are places to look, not a global frequency ranking. Use local weather forecasts and warnings for decisions. Never look directly at the Sun.