Cloud-busting: Mares' Tails

4th July 2016 Last updated at 09:49

Pretty, wispy clouds have been filling your reports today (Monday 4th July). These are a type of cirrus cloud, known as cirrus uncinus. The name is derived from Latin and means "curly hooks".

The clouds occur at very high altitudes, at a temperature of about −50 to −40C.

They are commonly known as mares' tails because of their likeness to horse tails. An old weather proverb goes, "Mares' tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships to carry low sails." Together, cirrus uncinus clouds and patchy altocumulus clouds often mean that rain is on its way.

Here's a selection of the gorgeous mares' tails you've been posting.

Clustered mares' tails that look like a feather — These clustered mares' tails appeared feather-like in Chelmsford, Essex. Photo by Shantelle.

A row of wispy clouds in a field — Row of mares' tails seen over Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, by ebb&flow.

Wispy cirrus uncinus clouds over houses — Wispy cirrus uncinus clouds across Bradshaw, Bolton. Photo by pippo.

cirrus uncinus over country landscape — Sandie's Valley captured these great mares' tails over Meltham, Kirklees.

cirrus uncinus over country landscape — Mares' tails over Hoyland Nether, Barnsley, photographed by Tomslad.

cirrus uncinus in a blue sky — Pretty cirrus uncinus over Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Photo by Melodysk.

A sky full of mares' tails — A sky full of mare tail clouds in Stafford, Staffordshire. Photo by Flying Ant.

Wispy clouds in a blue sky — Thele captured these wispy beauties in North Frodingham, East Yorkshire.

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