2. TYPE4
TYPE3
TYPE2
TYPE1
We define four stage of clouds. Initial, developing, mature, and dissipating cloud. The four cloud types are classified by cloud albedo and cloud top pressure in GOES. 2

3. Cloud Type TYPE1 : initial clouds - low and thin cloud (2 - 3km)
Cloud albedo<0.4, 500mb < cloud pressure < 850mb
TYPE2 : developing clouds - low and thick (2 - 6km)
0.4<Cloud albedo, 500mb < cloud pressure < 850mb
TYPE3 : mature clouds - high and thick (2 – 10km)
0.4<Cloud albedo, 100mb < cloud pressure < 500mb
TYPE4 : dissipating clouds - high and thin (8 – 10km)
Cloud albedo<0.4, 100mb < cloud pressure < 500mb