Spectacular cloud formations

High winds on December 7 produced spectacular cloud formations in the sky over Tehachapi. The winds were from 15 to 30 knots. The lower clouds look like the start of a lenticular wave and the higher clouds are Ice Crystals. When the air is cold and dry, the high clouds are composed almost exclusively of ice crystals. These clouds also tend to be very thin. Cirrus clouds are the most common of this group and can be blown into long, wispy streamers often called mares' tails. Cirrus clouds have little vertical development.