Prepare for the ASVAB Skilled Technical Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Cirrus clouds are feathery and often indicate rain or snow within several hours. Which statement best describes cirrus clouds?

Cirrus clouds are high, wispy clouds made of ice crystals that form in the upper part of the atmosphere. Because they sit up where it's very cold, they don’t produce rain or snow themselves. Their delicate, feathery look often signals that a weather system is moving in, so precipitation such as rain or snow may arrive in the hours ahead as the front approaches. That combination of being feathery, high, and indicating upcoming precipitation is why the statement described fits cirrus clouds best. The other descriptions place clouds at the wrong height, with the wrong appearance, or imply rain-producing clouds, which aren’t accurate for cirrus.

Cirrus clouds are high, wispy clouds made of ice crystals that form in the upper part of the atmosphere. Because they sit up where it's very cold, they don’t produce rain or snow themselves. Their delicate, feathery look often signals that a weather system is moving in, so precipitation such as rain or snow may arrive in the hours ahead as the front approaches. That combination of being feathery, high, and indicating upcoming precipitation is why the statement described fits cirrus clouds best. The other descriptions place clouds at the wrong height, with the wrong appearance, or imply rain-producing clouds, which aren’t accurate for cirrus.