Clouds :: Types , Features :: Geography

swapsushias.blogspot.in/2013/10/clouds-types-f eatures-geography.html
Def init ion:
A visible aggregation of minute water droplets or ice particles in the air above the ground levels i.e. at the certain
elevation is called as the cloud.
There are two major cloud group based on their forms
1. St rat i f orm Cloud group
These are the clouds present in the form of layers
2. Cumuli f orm Cloud group
It consist of globular clouds in the form of cotton balls
The world meteorological organization gave the international cloud atlas consisting of 10 main cloud families. These
families are listed according to their heights into 3 groups.
1. High Clouds
All high clouds are called as cirro clouds and t hey are present at elevat ion of 5 t o 13 kms.
These clouds are composed of ice crystals and produce phenomenon called halo and does not give
rainfall/precipitations they are of three types
a. Cirrus
These are detached clouds in the form of white delicate filaments or narrow binds.
Sometimes they are in the form of white patches.
b. Cirro Cumulus
These are the clouds looks like small flakes or globules consisting of white patchy layers of clouds without
shading.
When these patches are uniformly arranged, it forms a mackerel sky
c. Cirro status
These are the transparent whitish clouds in the form of a fibrous veil with smooth appearance.
2. Middle Clouds
All middle clouds are called as the alt o clouds. They are present in the height ranging from 2 to 7 Kms. They of
three types
d. Alto Cumulus
Its a white or grey patchy layer of cloud having dark shading on their under surfaces.
Sometimes they are found in wavy or parallel bonds where they are referred as sheep or wool packed
clouds.
Often they are composed of super cooled liquid droplets. They may or may not give rainfall
e. Alto stratus
They are grayish or bluish cloud layers having fibrous appearance covering most part of the sky.
The sun is vaguely revealed in the form of spot.
But the ground shadows are not cast.
They give out fine drizzle of snow
f. Nimbo stratus
It is a grey cloud layer often very dark, thick enough to blot the sun.
The rain or snow falling from this cloud does not reach the ground and called as virga.
3. Low Clouds
These are the clouds present below 2 kms of elevation and there are 4 types of cloud families are present in this
g. Strato cumulus
It is a low cloud layer which is dull grey in colour consisting of large lumpy masses with brighter intersects
h. Stratus
This is a grey cloud layer.
The sun is visible and its outline is clearly distinguishable.
They are also present in the form of raged patches.
i. Cumulus
These are dense detached clouds with sharp outline developing vertically in the forms of mount or tower like
cauliflower.
The sunlit part is brighter and the base is dark.
They represent t ransit ion t o t he cumulo nimbus clouds and are present only during day t ime
j. Cumulo nimbus
These are heavy & dense cloud forms having an anvil head.
These are towering clouds from the ground level to intermediate heights.
They are associated with heavy rainfall, thunders, lighting.