Major Cloud Types

Cirrus
• Thin, feather-like • If wispy, no
• Ice crystals significant icing or
• High altitudes turbulence
• Patches or bands • If dense or in bands,
turbulence is likely
Stratus
• Gray, low bases • Little if any
• Sheet-like turbulence
• Usually associated • Icing possible
with low pressure • Can be associated
systems with fog and rain
Cumulus
• Convective currents • Turbulence possible
• Flat bases • Icing possible
• Dome-shaped tops • Find approximate
• Rain not likely height of bases by:
H = (T-DP)/4.4*
Towering Cumulus
• Unstable air • Severe turbulence
• Extensive vertical likely
development • Icing possible
• “Cauliflower” tops • Rain possible
Cumulonimbus
• Thunderstorms • Violent turbulence
• Vertically developed • ALWAYS AVOID
• Cirrus cloud anvil • Anvil points in the
• Tops 25,000- direction of
50,000’ movement
Lenticular
• Lee side of • Strong turbulence
mountain beneath cloud
• Little movement • Significant updrafts
• Found on crest of and downdrafts
wave activity

* H = thousands of feet AGL T = surface temperature in °F DP = dew point in °F

Photography credit: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/

For more information, check out www.asf.org or e-mail the Air Safety Foundation at: asf@aopa.org.