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Hasnain Nawaz Mam khadija Shakrullah 14-10809 coluds and its types

Clouds are very interesting features of weather. They are droplets or frozens ice crystals that float above the Earth's atmosphere. Clouds come in all different shapes and sizes. Many photographers have captured amazing pictures of these marvelous creations. Clouds are very fun to look, especially whe you are in a plane. Below are pictures and examples of clouds that can be seen anywhere in the world.
Higher level clouds Cirrus and cirrostratus Cirrocumulus middle clouds Altocumulus Altocumulus Castellanus Altostratus Nimbostratus low clouds Stratus Stratocumulus Nimbostratus

clouds of vertical development Cumulus (Cu) Towering Cumulus (TCu) Cumulonimbus (Cb) cloud formation precipitation thunderstorms orographic_lift convection frontal lift convergence

Cirrus Clouds There is 4 types of Cirrus clouds. Fibratus, Spissatus, Uncinus Spread, and Above 45 degrees. Cirrus Fibratus and Spissatus are ice clouds. If you do see Cirrus Fibratus and Spissatus clouds, that means that you will be getting good weather if the winds are from the W NW to N. Although if the winds are steady from NE E to S, precipitation is likely within 20 to 30 hours of that time period. Cirrus Uncinus Spread and Above 45 degrees are just like Fibratus and Spissatus, but higher. Cirrostratus Clouds There are 3 types of Cirrostratus clouds. 2 types of Covering Sky and Halo. Cirrostratus Covering Sky does just what it says. These clouds cover up the whole sky. Some types of Covering Sky contain ice, but most do not. These clouds will mean precipitation is likely to occur in 15 to 25 hours if the winds are NE E to S. Cirrostratus Halo is a very interesting cloud. The Cirrostratus cloud forms a halo around the sun. Rain will likely follow within 15 to 24 hours. The halo is formed by the sun reflecting through the ice crystals of the Cirrostratus. Cirrocumulus Clouds Cirrocumulus clouds are all ice clouds. Precipitation is likely within 15-20 hours if NE to S winds. If you see these clouds in the morning, then that means you will likely see some thunderstorm showers in the afternoon.

Altocumulus Clouds Altocumulus clouds are mostly water and ice clouds. There are 3 types of Altocumulus clouds; translucidus, undulatus, and perlucidus. In all of these clouds, percipitation is likely within 1520 hours if wind is NE to S. Undulatus clouds mostly threaten rain. Cumulus Clouds Cumulus clouds are the most common clouds. There are 4 types of Cumulus clouds; Humilis, Vertical Growth, Congestus, and Fractus. Humilis can occur during fair weather conditions and also can transform into other types of clouds. Vertical Growth can also occur during fair weather conditions andcan spawn afternoon showers. Congestus clouds occur right before bad weather will move through. After they form, storms are likely to occur in 5-10 hours. Fractus also occur during fair weather conditions but have the tendency to break up with strong winds.
Cirrocumulus (Cc) They take the form of small white balls that are individual or in long rows, high in the sky. When the puffs are in rows, they give the cloud a rippling appearance that rCirrostratus (Cs) These sheet-like, nearly transparent clouds form above 6 km. Cirrostratus clouds are so thin that the sun and moon can be seen clearly through the cloud. When sun or moonlight passes through the ice crystals of a cirrostratus cloud, the light is bent in such a way that a halo may form. Cirrostratus clouds often signal an approaching precipitation event.esemble the scales of a fish and distinguishes it from a Cirrus or a CAltostratus (As): Altostratus clouds are composed of water droplets and ice crystals. They cover the entire sky over an area that usually extends over hundreds of square kilometres. Sun appears as if behind frosted glass : dont look for your shadow on the ground, you wont find it ! And do not forget your umbrella Although altostratus clouds bring very little precipitation, they often indicate increasing and likelihood of precipitation.irrostratus.

Altocumulus (Ac): These clouds are white, grey, or both white and grey, they are puffy or like fuzzy bubbles in long rows. They generally have dark, shadowed undersides. Altocumulus without shading may sometimes be confused with cirrocumulus. In case of doubt, hold your hand at arms length: if the puff is smaller than one finger width, you are looking at a cirrocumulus cloud!

Stratus (St): Stratus clouds form a low layer that cover the sky like a blanket. They develop horizontally as opposed to the vertically developed cumulus cloud. They can form only a few meters above the ground. Moreover, a stratus cloud at the ground level is nothing else than fog !

Stratocumulus (Sc) : They are grey with dark shading and spread in a puffy layer. They do not produce rain. They often form after a rainstorm.

Nimbostratus (Ns) : Such clouds form a dark grey, wet looking cloudy layer, associated with falling rain or snow. They can also be considered as mid-level clouds as their thickness can be of about 3000 m! They totally mask the sun. Cumulus (Cu) Cumulus clouds look like white balls of cotton wool.

Cumulonimbus (Cb): Here is the king of clouds. The top of such a cloud can reach 12 km (much higher than the Everest!) and is commonly topped with anvil-shaped head. Rarely, cumulonimbus clouds can reach altitudes up to 18 km and penetrate into the stratosphere. Lower level of cumulonimbus is made mostly of water droplets, whereas at higher elevation, ice crystals dominate as the temperature is well below 0C. Vertical winds inside the clouds can reach more than 100 km/h. If you like rain, thunder, lightning and even tornadoes, cumulonimbus are your friends! If not, just run quickly to your house!