Excel in your Officer Aptitude Rating Test. Master with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Start your success journey!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


At what altitude are cirrocumulus clouds typically found?

  1. Below 6,000 feet

  2. 6,000 to 20,000 feet

  3. Above 18,000 feet

  4. From near the ground to above 50,000 feet

The correct answer is: Above 18,000 feet

Cirrocumulus clouds are typically found at high altitudes, generally within the range of 18,000 feet to 40,000 feet above mean sea level. These clouds are part of the cirrus cloud family and are characterized by their thin, wispy appearance, often resembling small, white patchy layers. Their high altitude is due to the fact that they form in the upper troposphere, where temperatures are low enough to allow the formation of ice crystals, which make up these clouds. The other altitude ranges mentioned, such as below 6,000 feet and between 6,000 to 20,000 feet, pertain to different types of clouds. For instance, cumulus and stratus clouds typically form at lower elevations. When considering clouds that develop above 18,000 feet, it is important to distinguish between different cloud types; cirrocumulus specifically indicates a formation above this altitude. Thus, recognizing cirrocumulus clouds as high-altitude formations helps solidify their classification and accurately places them in the context of cloud types and their typical altitudes.