CLOUDS
Clouds are made up of small droplets of water, ice or ice crystals. As air rises and cools, it loses its ability to hold as much water vapour, which then condenses into water droplets and forms clouds. This is known as its saturation point.
Cloud Classification
There are many different types of clouds, and they are categorised according to their height and shape. The different categories are then given names based on Latin words, e.g. nimbus clouds bring rain, stratus clouds appear as layers.
The diagram below shows all the different cloud types and where they are found in the atmosphere. Scroll down for further information on each cloud type.
There are many different types of clouds, and they are categorised according to their height and shape. The different categories are then given names based on Latin words, e.g. nimbus clouds bring rain, stratus clouds appear as layers.
The diagram below shows all the different cloud types and where they are found in the atmosphere. Scroll down for further information on each cloud type.
High level clouds (altitudes of 5-13km)
Cirrus - fibrous, threadlike, white feather clouds of ice crystals. Form resembles hair curls
Cirrostratus - milky, transculent cloud veil of ice crystals, can cause halo appearance around the Sun or Moon
Cirrocumulus - fleecy cloud. Clouds of small, white flakes
Cirrus - fibrous, threadlike, white feather clouds of ice crystals. Form resembles hair curls
Cirrostratus - milky, transculent cloud veil of ice crystals, can cause halo appearance around the Sun or Moon
Cirrocumulus - fleecy cloud. Clouds of small, white flakes
Medium level clouds (altitudes of 2-7km)
Altocumulus - grey cloud bundles, sheds or rollers, compund-like rough fleecy cloud, often arranged in banks
Altostratus - dense grey layer cloud, often even and opaque, only lets the Sun shine through a little
Altocumulus - grey cloud bundles, sheds or rollers, compund-like rough fleecy cloud, often arranged in banks
Altostratus - dense grey layer cloud, often even and opaque, only lets the Sun shine through a little
Low level clouds (altitudes of 0-2km)
Stratocumulus - dark grey-grey-white patchy cloud appearing as long rows or rolls
Stratus - evenly grey, low layer cloud, which causes fog or fine precipitation
Stratocumulus - dark grey-grey-white patchy cloud appearing as long rows or rolls
Stratus - evenly grey, low layer cloud, which causes fog or fine precipitation
Clouds with vertical development (heights of 0-13km)
Cumulus - heap cloud with flat darker base. Vertical development looks like cotton wool or cauliflower
Cumulonimbus - developing thunder cloud in the middle or lower level. Dark base, sometimes extreme vertical development into an 'anvil' shape
Nimbostratus - rain cloud. Grey, dark layer cloud, indistinct outline
Cumulus - heap cloud with flat darker base. Vertical development looks like cotton wool or cauliflower
Cumulonimbus - developing thunder cloud in the middle or lower level. Dark base, sometimes extreme vertical development into an 'anvil' shape
Nimbostratus - rain cloud. Grey, dark layer cloud, indistinct outline