Classifying Different Types of Clouds

By: Ryan Longstreth

Clouds

Classified by height above ground and shape

High clouds-Bases above 20,000 feet

Middle Clouds-occupy heights from 6,500-20,000 feet

Low Clouds-form below 6,500 feet

High Clouds

Bases above 20,000 feet

Prefix cirro is used to name

Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus

Cirrus Clouds

Thin and Wispy Feathery Appearance Have a net heating

effect Could be sign of

approaching frontal system

Maybe remnants of a thunderstorm

Cirrostratus Clouds

Classified as a high cloud Thin, Ice crystal clouds Often form halos around

moon or sun Can be signs of a warm

front Can signal precipitation

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Classified as a high cloud

Composed of ice crystals

Usually in ripples or waves as in the picture

Very uncommon Usually turn into

cirrostratus clouds

Middle Clouds

Occupy heights between 6,500 feet and 20,000 feet

Prefix alto is used in name

Altocumulus Altostratus

Altostratus Clouds

Made of Ice Crystals

Can produce very light precipitation

Sun often shines through them

No halos are ever produced

Altocumulus Clouds

Can be anywhere from white to gray

Usually appear as layers

Often precede a cold front

Can start the development of a thunderstorm

Low Clouds

Form below 6,500 feet

Stratus Stratocumulus Nimbostratus

Stratus Clouds

Flat and hazy Can be from dark

gray to nearly white

May produce light drizzle or snow

Can cause fog

Stratocumulus Clouds

Soft, Gray clouds Usually occur in

patches Most of the time no

precipitation Usually give fair

weather without much happening

Nimbostratus Clouds

Low cloud that produces rain

Usually have thickness of 2000 meters

Smooth, gray appearance

Commonly found in the midlatitudes

Clouds of Vertical Development

Extend vertically through more than one height range

Include Cumulus and cumulonimbus

Cumulus Clouds

Globular individual cloud masses

Cauliflower-like structure Dense Can extend up to 39,000

ft. Usually white

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Very tall and dense Often involved in

thunderstorms Heavy rainfall Tornadoes Result of

Atmospheric instability