Which clouds are characterized as the highest in the sky and often appear feathery and white?

The clouds that are characterized as the highest in the sky, often appearing feathery and white, are cirrus clouds. These clouds form at altitudes typically above 20,000 feet and are composed of ice crystals due to the cold temperatures at these heights. Their appearance is wispy or hair-like, which gives them the feathery look. Cirrus clouds are usually an indicator of fair weather, but they can also signal that a change in the weather is on the way, as they sometimes precede a warm front.

Cumulus clouds, on the other hand, are the puffy white clouds often seen on sunny days and are generally lower in the sky. Cumulonimbus clouds are large, towering clouds associated with thunderstorms and severe weather, while stratus clouds form in low, gray layers that can cover the sky like a blanket and often bring overcast or drizzly conditions. These distinctions help clarify why cirrus clouds are recognized specifically as the highest clouds in the sky with a distinctive feathery appearance.