Cloud Types

Clouds are categorized by there classified according to their height above and appearance (texture) from the ground.

Cloud family and height	Cloud type	Characteristics
High clouds- above 20,000ft	Cirrus   Cirrostratus     Cirrocumulus	Thin delicate, fibrous, ice crystal clouds   Thin sheet of white, ice crystal clouds  that may give the sky a milky look   Thin, white, ice crystal clouds. In the form of ripples or waves
Middle clouds- 6,500 to 20,000ft	Altocumulus     Altostratus	White to gray clouds often made up of separate globules     Stratified veil of clouds that is generally thin and may produce very light precipitation
Low clouds- 6,500ft	Stratus     Stratocumulus   Nimbostratus	Low uniform layer resembling fog but not resting on the ground    Soft, gray clouds in globular patches or rolls.   Amorphous layer of dark clouds.
Clouds of vertical development	Cumulus     Cumulonimbus	Dense, billowy clouds often categorized by flat bases   Towering clouds, sometimes spreading out on top to form an “anvil hammer”

 

Cloud Questions:

- where does the name cloud come from?

-can there be no clouds in the sky?

- how are clouds made?
-how many cloud types are there?
-why do clouds take shape?
-do clouds move?-can there be no clouds in the sky?