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Cloud Types

Clouds are divided into four main groups depending on the height of the cloud's base.

1) Anything with the prefix cirrus would be a high cloud. They are so high that they are always made of ice crystals. Cirrus clouds are thin and feathery (80K GIF).

2) All middle clouds have the prefix alto . They are composed mostly of water droplets, but if it is cold enough sometimes ice crystals (84K GIF).

3) Stratus clouds are the lowest and form sheets or layers of cloud. Usually light precipitation comes from stratus clouds (75K GIF).

4) Clouds with more vertical than horizontal development are called Cumulus . They are thick and puffy with flat bases and usually the sign of good weather. If one of these clouds grows even more, a thunderstorm cloud called a cumulonimbus may form (61K GIF).


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Photographs provided courtesy of Ronald L. Holle

The Rain Cloud

If the word nimbus is added to the beginning or end of a cloud name, the cloud is a rain cloud and will appear gray.

Cloud Types

Clouds are divided into four main groups depending on the height of the cloud's base.

1) Anything with the prefix cirrus would be a high cloud. They are so high that they are always made of ice crystals. Cirrus clouds are thin and feathery (80K GIF).

2) All middle clouds have the prefix alto . They are composed mostly of water droplets, but if it is cold enough sometimes ice crystals (84K GIF).

3) Stratus clouds are the lowest and form sheets or layers of cloud. Usually light precipitation comes from stratus clouds (75K GIF).

4) Clouds with more vertical than horizontal development are called Cumulus . They are thick and puffy with flat bases and usually the sign of good weather. If one of these clouds grows even more, a thunderstorm cloud called a cumulonimbus may form (61K GIF).


Click on images for full size version
Photographs provided courtesy of Ronald L. Holle

The Rain Cloud

If the word nimbus is added to the beginning or end of a cloud name, the cloud is a rain cloud and will appear gray.

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