Mare's Tail Clouds

Mackerel scales and mare’s tails, make lofty ships carry low sails.


MARE'S TAIL
The name given to thin, wispy cirrus clouds composed of ice crystals that appear as veil patches or strands, often resembling a horse's tail.
Cirrus clouds occur in warm air which is being slowly lifted over a large area by an approaching cold front, and they are therefore often the signal of bad weather.