Cloud Types

Cloud Types common cloud classifications

Clouds are classified into a system that uses Latin words to describe the appearance of clouds as seen by an observer on the ground. The table below summarizes the four principal components of this classification system.

Latin Root		Translation		Example
cumulus stratus cirrus nimbus		heap layer curl of hair rain		fair weather cumulus alto stratus cirrus cumulonimbus

Further classification identifies clouds by height of cloud base. For example, cloud names containing the prefix "cirr-", as in cirrus clouds, are located at high levels while cloud names with the prefix "alto-", as in altostratus, are found at middle levels. This module introduces several cloud groups. The first three groups are identified based upon their height above the ground. The fourth group consists of vertically developed clouds, while the final group consists of a collection of miscellaneous cloud types.

Classifications

High-Level Clouds Cloud types include: cirrus and cirrostratus. Mid-Level Clouds Cloud types include: alto cumulus, alto stratus. Low-Level Clouds Cloud types include: nimbostratus and stratocumulus. Clouds with Vertical Development Cloud types include: fair weather cumulus and cumulonimbus. Other Cloud Types Cloud types include: contrails, billow clouds, mammatus, orographic and pileus clouds.