Puffballs

12/28/11, 10 am, looking north

These loosely-formed altocumulus clouds were blowing east in a cool, stiff breeze on Wednesday morning, December 28th. The altocumulus clouds had little solidity with misty edges and virga. Virga is visible precipitation falling from a cloud that evaporates before reaching the ground.

I have observed few days in which the wind blows directly east so far this year. This is one with winds up to 25 miles per hour and gust even stronger. One has to think these puffballs were being teased and torn apart as they blew due east.