Cloud Name Components

Latin for high, this is a prefix given to mid-altitude clouds (between

Alto 6,000 and 20,000 feet).

Latin for wisp of hair, this is a prefix given to high-altitude clouds

Cirro (above 20,000 feet).

Nimbo-/ Latin for precipitation bearing, this indicates that the cloud can pro-

-Nimbus duce precipitation.

Cummulo-/
Latin for stack, this refers to puffy clouds that pile.
-Cummulus
Strato-/
Latin for layer, this refers to flat, wide, layered clouds.
-Stratus
 Common Types of Clouds

Cirro-stratus Cirrus

Cirro-Cumulus Cumulonimbus
 Common Types of Clouds

Alto-stratus Alto-cumulus

Strato-cumulus Stratus
 Common Types of Clouds

Nimbo-stratus Cumulus

Fog Common Types of Clouds

 Common Types of Clouds

Cirro-stratus Cirrus

Cirro-Cumulus Cumulonimbus
 Common Types of Clouds

Alto-stratus Alto-cumulus

Strato-cumulus stratus
 Common Types of Clouds

Nimbo-stratus Cumulus

Fog Common Types of Clouds

A cloud of a class character-
ized by a composition of ice
crystals and often by the
production of halo phenom- A cloud of a class charac-
ena and appearing as a whit- terized by thin white fila-
ish and usually somewhat fi- ments or narrow bands and a
brous veil, often covering the composition of ice crystals:
whole sky and sometimes so of high altitude, ab. 20,000–
thin as to be hardly discerni- 40,000 ft. (6000–12,000 m).
ble: of high altitude, ab.
20,000–40,000 ft. (6000–
12,000 m).

A cloud of a class indicative of

thunderstorm conditions, charac-
terized by large, dense towers
A cirriform cloud of a class char-
that often reach altitudes of
acterized by thin, white patches,
30,000 ft. (9000 m) or more, cu-
each of which is composed of very
muliform except for their tops,
small granules or ripples: of high
which appear fibrous because of
altitude, ab. 20,000–40,000 ft.
the presence of ice crystals: oc-
(6000–12,000 m).
curs as a single cloud or as a
group with merged bases and
separate tops.
 A cloud of a class characterized
A cloud of a class characterized
by globular masses or rolls in lay-
by a generally uniform gray sheet
ers or patches, the individual ele-
or layer, lighter in color than
ments being larger and darker
nimbostratus and darker than
than those of cirrocumulus and
cirrostratus: of medium altitude,
smaller than those of stratocu-
about 8000–20,000 ft. (2450–
mulus: of medium altitude, about
6100 m).
8000–20,000 ft. (2450–6100 m).

A cloud of a class characterized

by large dark, rounded masses,
cloud of a class characterized
usually in groups, lines, or waves,
by a gray, horizontal layer with a
the individual elements being lar-
uniform base, found at a lower
ger than those in altocumulus and
altitude than altostratus, usually
the whole being at a lower alti-
below 8000 feet (2400 m).
tude, usually below 8000 feet
(2400 m).
 A cloud of a class characterized
A cloud of a class characterized
by dense individual elements in
by a formless layer that is al-
the form of puffs, mounds, or
most uniformly dark gray; a rain
towers, with flat bases and tops
cloud of the layer type, of low al-
that often resemble cauliflower:
titude, usually below 8000 ft.
as such clouds develop vertically,
(2440 m).
they form cumulonimbus.

A cloudlike mass or layer of min- A visible collection of particles

ute water droplets or ice crys- of water or ice suspended in the
tals near the surface of the air, usually at an elevation above
earth, appreciably reducing visi- the earth's surface classified by
bility. altitude and shape.