Clouds

Clouds are classified by shape, then by altitude

Three main types based on SHAPE: Stratus- flat layers Cumulus- fluffy, rounded Cirrus- wispy, feathery

Clouds based on altitude: Cirrus= high level clouds Stratus= low level clouds Cumulus= middle to low level cloud 4. Alto= high

Cirrus Clouds These are wispy, feathery clouds coming from the Latin root of “curl of hair”. They are made of ice crystals because they only form at high levels. They bring fair or pleasant weather, but often indicate a storm or rain is on its way.

Mackerel Sky- cirrocumulus/altocumulus

Types of Cirrus Clouds: Cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus

Cumulus Clouds Means “heap” or “mass” Cumulus Clouds Means “heap” or “mass”. These clouds usually indicate fair weather

Types of Cumulus Clouds (based on altitude) Cumulonimbus= “heap” “rain” Altocumulus= “high” “heap” Cirrocumulus= “curl of hair” “heap” Cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus, cirrocumulus

Cumulonimbus “heaped” ”rain” These are puffy, towering clouds with flat tops. These will bring precipitation and/or thunderstorms that can be severe!!

Altocumulus “high” “heaps” Rain or snow will be likely within 24 hours.

Stratus Clouds – spread out, layered Low, uniform dull gray clouds that form in flat layers. These are low clouds that usually bring steady rains, snow, or very cloudy days.

Types of Stratus Clouds (Based on altitude) Nimbostratus= “rain” “layered” Altostratus= “high” “layered” Cirrostratus= “curl of hair” “layered”

Nimbostratus Clouds “Nimbo” means rain

Stratocumulus Clouds These are “layered” “heaps” Stratocumulus Clouds These are “layered” “heaps”. They bring light precipitation

Altostratus Clouds “Alto” means high

Cirrostratus Clouds “Cirrus” means curl of hair Cirrostratus Clouds “Cirrus” means curl of hair. These never bring precipitation.