Cloud Types

Most clouds have something to do with the weather. Seeing a certain kind of cloud might mean that it will probably rain or snow, or that the weather will be sunny and nice. These clouds can be divided into groups based on how high they are above the Earth's surface. The following table has about the different cloud groups.

Cloud Group and Height * Cloud Types
High Clouds
5,000-13,000m
(Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in the sky, but they do not affect the weather like the rest of the clouds in this table.)
Middle Clouds
2,000-7,000m
Low Clouds
Surface-2,000m
Unusual Clouds
(View cloud heights on each cloud's individual page)
Contrails
5,000-13,000m

* Cloud height tells us how high a certain kind of cloud is above the ground. The cloud heights in this table are for the mid-latitudes. Cloud heights are different in tropical areas and in the polar regions.

Clouds

How Clouds Form

CMMAP - Studying Clouds and Climate

Clouds in Art

Cloud Image Gallery

Last modified May 21, 2009 by Becca Hatheway.

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Cirrus clouds are the most common of the High Cloud group. They are made of ice crystals and have long, thin, wispy streamers. Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair weather. ...more

Cirrocumulus

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Cirrostratus

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Middle Clouds

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Altocumulus

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