Classification: How clouds are identified in the

troposphere[edit]
For a comprehensive listing of over 90 combinations of genera divided into species and subdivided
into varieties with Latin etymologies, see List of cloud types.

Low stratus fractus partly obscuring nimbostratus over Deccan Plateau, India

Tropospheric classification is based on a hierarchy of categories with physical forms and altitude
levels at the top.[25][26] These are cross-classified into a total of ten genus types, most of which can be
divided into species and further subdivided into varieties which are at the bottom of the hierarchy. [27]

Physical forms[edit]

Cirrus fibratus clouds in March

Clouds in the troposphere assume five physical forms based on structure and process of formation.
These forms are commonly used for the purpose of satellite analysis.[25] They are given below in
approximate ascending order of instability or convective activity.[28]
Stratiform[edit]
Nonconvective stratiform clouds appear in stable airmass conditions and, in general, have flat,
sheet-like structures that can form at any altitude in the troposphere. [29] The stratiform group is
divided by altitude range into the genera cirrostratus (high-level), altostratus (mid-level), stratus (low-
level), and nimbostratus (multi-level).[26] Fog is commonly considered a surface-based cloud layer.
[16]
 The fog may form at surface level in clear air or it may be the result of a very low stratus cloud
subsiding to ground or sea level. Conversely, low stratiform clouds result when advection fog is lifted
above surface level during breezy conditions.
Stratocumulus over Orange County.

Cirriform[edit]
Cirriform clouds in the troposphere are of the genus cirrus and have the appearance of detached or
semimerged filaments. They form at high tropospheric altitudes in air that is mostly stable with little
or no convective activity, although denser patches may occasionally show buildups caused
by limited high-level convection where the air is partly unstable.[30] Clouds resembling cirrus can be
found above the troposphere but are classified separately using common names.
Stratocumuliform[edit]
Clouds of this structure have both cumuliform and stratiform characteristics in the form of rolls,
ripples, or elements.[31] They generally form as a result of limited convection in an otherwise mostly
stable airmass topped by an inversion layer.[32] If the inversion layer is absent or higher in the
troposphere, increased airmass instability may cause the cloud layers to develop tops in the form of
turrets consisting of embedded cumuliform buildups. [33] The stratocumuliform group is divided
into cirrocumulus (high-level), altocumulus (mid-level), and stratocumulus (low-level).[31]

Cumulus over Dooars, West Bengal

Cumuliform[edit]
Cumuliform clouds generally appear in isolated heaps or tufts.[34][35] They are the product of localized
but generally free-convective lift where no inversion layers are in the troposphere to limit vertical
growth. In general, small cumuliform clouds tend to indicate comparatively weak instability. Larger
cumuliform types are a sign of greater atmospheric instability and convective activity. [36] Depending
on their vertical size, clouds of the cumulus genus type may be low-level or multi-level with moderate
to towering vertical extent.[26]
Cumulonimbiform[edit]
Cumulonimbus cloud over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, Texas

See also: Atmospheric convection

The largest free-convective clouds comprise the genus cumulonimbus, which have towering vertical
extent. They occur in highly unstable air[9] and often have fuzzy outlines at the upper parts of the
clouds that sometimes include anvil tops.[31] These clouds are the product of very strong convection
that can penetrate the lower stratosphere.

Levels and genera[edit]

See also: Weather map and Station model
Tropospheric clouds form in any of three levels (formerly called étages) based on altitude range
above the Earth's surface. The grouping of clouds into levels is commonly done for the purposes
of cloud atlases, surface weather observations,[26] and weather maps.[37] The base-height range for
each level varies depending on the latitudinal geographical zone.[26] Each altitude level comprises two
or three genus-types differentiated mainly by physical form. [38][31]
The standard levels and genus-types are summarised below in approximate descending order of the
altitude at which each is normally based.[39] Multi-level clouds with significant vertical extent are
separately listed and summari
S