Cloud Types

Clouds are classified by their altitude.

Cumulus Clouds

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Cumulus_clouds_in_fair_weather.jpeg

Cumulus Clouds

These clouds look like fluffy, rounded piles of cotton.

They from less than 2 km above the ground but can grow to reach as much as 18 km.

Cumulus clouds usually indicate fair weather.

Stratus Clouds

Stratus Clouds

These clouds form in flat layers. Stratus clouds usually cover all or most of

the sky. As stratus clouds thicken, they may produce

drizzle, rain or snow.

Cirrus Clouds

http://www.met.tamu.edu/class/Metr304/Severedir/CirrusClouds.jpg

Cirrus Clouds

These clouds look wispy and feathery.\ They form only at high levels where

temperatures are very low. Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. They indicate a change in weather within 24

hours.

Stratocumulus- Flat and puffy

http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/en/educators/gallery/clouds_atmos/stratocumulus_L.jpg

Nimbostratus- Stormy and Flat

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/images/m2_1.jpg

Cumulonimbus- Puffy and stormy

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/ilx/swop/clouds.jpg

NOAA- Site on Cloudshttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/h4.htm