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Clouds PDF
Clouds PDF
Genus Species (can be only one) Varieties (can be more than one) Cloud
humilis
Cumulus
mediocris
radiatus
Classification:
congestus
Low Clouds
fractus
Cumulonimbus calvus
(none)
Clouds are classified using a
(extend through all 3 levels) capillatus Latin Linnean system based
Stratus
nebulosus
opacus, translucidus, undulatus
on genera and species,
fractus originally developed by Luke
stratiformis translucidus, perlucidus, opacus, Howard, an amateur
Stratocumulus lenticularis duplicatus, undulatus, radiatus, meteorologist and Quaker in
castellanus lacunosus
1802.
Middle Clouds
stratiformus
lenticularis translucidus, perlucidus, opacus,
Altocumulus duplicatus, undulatus, radiatus, The modern classification
castellanus lacunosus
floccus
scheme is based on Howards
system and is detailed in The
translucidus, perlucidus, opacus,
Altostratus (none)
duplicatus, undulatus, radiatus
International Cloud Atlas,
published by the World
Nimbostratus
(extend through 1+ levels)
(none) (none) Meteorological Organization
fibratus
since 1896.
uncinus
intortus, radiatus, vertebratus, In addition to standardizing
Cirrus spissatus
High Clouds
duplicatus
castellanus the genus-species system, the
floccus WMO also classified clouds by
stratiformis altitude and divided the
lenticularis troposphere into 3 levels:
Cirrocumulus undulatus, lacunosus
castellanus
floccus Low-level Clouds: < 6,500 ft.
fibratus Mid-level Clouds: 6,500 to 23,000 ft.
Cirrostratus duplicatus, undulatus High-level Clouds: 16,500 to 45,000 ft.
nebulosus
Cumulus Clouds Fast Facts:
(The cloud of choice for 6-yr.-olds) Typical Altitude: 2,000-3,000 ft.
humilis are wider than they are tall Composition: Liquid water
mediocris are as wide as they are tall
Formation: Thermal convection currents
congestus are taller than they are wide
Similar to cumulus clouds in form and composition, Precipitation: Occasional light rain, snow
stratocumulus clouds are textured and puffy, but also Composition: Liquid water
joined into a semi-continuous layer
Formation: Spreading and joining of
cumulus clouds below a
Stratocumulus clouds usually form from cumulus or temperature inversion, wind
turbulence in a stratus layer
stratus clouds
Altocumulus Clouds Fast Facts:
(Layers of bread rolls) Typical Altitude: 6,500-18,000 ft.
Location: Worldwide
Since altocumulus clouds are high in the sky, they are Precipitation: Very occasional light rain
generally above the influence of thermals, and form Composition: Mostly liquid water, may
very differently from cumulus and stratocumulus clouds, also contain ice crystals
who share similar names. Formation: Mid-level atmospheric
disturbances and wave
propagation (from e.g.
mountatins)
Altostratus Clouds Fast Facts:
(The boring clouds) Typical Altitude: 6,500-16,500 ft.
Between 6,500 and 23,000 ft. its altostratus Composition: Both liquid water, and ice
crystals
Boring! but being so high up, they do make for nice Formation: Usually formed from the
thickening and lowering of a
sunsets. cirrostratus cloud on its way
to becoming a nimbostratus
cloud
Altostratus Altocumulus
Cirrus clouds are the highest of all clouds and are Location: Worldwide
Location: Worldwide
Cirrocumulus clouds are usually a transitional phase
Precipitation: None that reaches ground
between cirrus and cirrostratus clouds.
Composition: Ice crystals
Large numbers of cirrocumulus clouds may indicate Formation: Cloudlets formed by choppy
poor weather is approaching. winds and high moisture
levels in upper troposphere
Cirrostratus Clouds Fast Facts:
(Delicate cloud streaks) Typical Altitude: 20,000-42,000 ft.
Location: Worldwide
Cirrostratus clouds are difficult to spot and appear as
Precipitation: None
a pale, milky lightening of the sky.
Composition: Ice crystals
Cirrostratus clouds never block out the sun Formation: Spreading and joining of
completely, but rather produce a variety of optical cirrus clouds
effects.
Contrails and Others
cirrus
cirrostratus
cirrus
contrails Kelvin-Helmholtz Wave Clouds
Cumulus