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http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/cloud_classification.aspx

Cloud Formation
Clouds
It is a visible aggregates of minute droplets of water

Clouds and cloud types

Clouds are condensations of water and other particles in the atmosphere. Cloud shapesand the
dynamics of their formationare accurate indicators of important atmospheric properties,
including air stability, moisture content, and motion.
Clouds are divided into families of high level, middle level, low level, and vertically developing
clouds, and are classified again, in accord with their general shape (e.g., cumuliform or
stratoform)
High level clouds include cirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulus clouds that occur at altitudes
between 16,000 and 45,000 feet. Middle level clouds include altostratus, altocumulus, and
nimbostratus clouds that occur between 6500 and 22,000 feet. Low-level clouds include stratus
and stratocumulus clouds that occur between the surface and 6,500 feet. Vertical development
clouds include cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, and range in their development from the
surface to 45,000 feet. The heights of the bases of the clouds used to designate cloud families can
vary with latitude . At extreme northern or southern latitudes, high altitude family clouds can be
observed at much lower altitudes.
In general, cloud shape is determined by the method of cooling to reachcondensation and the
forces of winds that can shear or tear the cloud. Cloud opacity (i.e., whether it is light or dark) is
a function of cloud thickness.

Cirrus clouds occur at high levels and are generally wispy and elongate in form. Vertically rising
air is unstable and gives rise to cumulus cloud formation. Cumulus clouds are billowy. Stratus
clouds (i.e., stratified clouds) are heavily layered and often appear in sheet-like formations. With
regard to cloud nomenclature, nimbus clouds (e.g., clouds with the prefix nimbo or the suffix
nimbus) are rain-producing clouds. The use of "fracto" designates broken cloud formations.
High cloudscirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulusare composed of ice crystals and dust or
pollution particles. The particles often serve as centers of crystallization or condensation nuclei.
Cirrus clouds often produce "mares' tails" that are tail-like wisps of ice crystals. Cirrostratus
clouds, because they are thin and the ice crystals act to both reflect and refract sunlight, are often
associated with halos of ice crystals that appear to encircle the Sun or Moon . Cirrocumulus
clouds often appear as patch-like thin clouds.
Middle level cloudsmdash; altostratus, altocumulus, and nimbostratusare composed of water
with some ice crystal formation near cloud tops. Both middle level and low level clouds may be
composed of super-cooled water (water below freezing ) that has not yet crystallized around a
condensation nucleus. Altostratus clouds often present a bluish-layered appearance. Depending
on thickness, altocumulus clouds often have white or gray layers that appear in washboard or
wave-like formations. Atmospheric instability and convective air currents can result in the
formation of altocumulus castellanus clouds, a form of altocumulus that often appear as isolated
cumulous clouds with billowing tops. Another form of altocumulus cloud, a standing lenticular
altocumulus clouds, is formed by turbulent updrafts of air uplifted by terrain barriers (e.g.,
mountains, ridges, etc.). Although dynamic, the standing lenticular altocumulus cloud formations
appear static or "standing" over the terrain feature leading to their formation. Nimbostratus
clouds often appear as heavy, gray, moistureladen cloud layers
Low-level stratus clouds are usually gray clouds associated with precipitationand fog .
Stratocumulus clouds present the familiar, cotton ball-like cumulus shapes in an elongate form (a
cumulus shape drawn out by shearing winds).
Clouds with extensive vertical developmentcumulus and cumulonimbus cloudsoften present
a gradient of ice and water. Rapid updrafts and downdrafts allow ice crystals to appear at much
lower levels than would be expected by atmospheric temperature . Although arising from
convective currents, cumulus clouds often form in fair weather and do not show extensive
vertical development. Cumulus clouds present flat bases and curved or domed tops. More

extensive vertical development occurs as atmospheric instability increases. Highly developed

cumulus clouds often present mushroomed or cauliflower-like tops, and can ultimately produce
rain. Under the most unstable of atmospheric conditions, cumulonimbus clouds form.
Cumulonimbus clouds are dark clouds with anvil like tops sheared by very high altitude winds.
Heavy turbulence, violent rains, lightning , and thunder often accompany cumulonimbus
clouds. Particularly unstable and violent clouds can occur in cells capable of spawning
tornadoes.
The identification of cloud types is an important skill for aviators and aviation meteorologists
because clouds present variable icing hazards. Ice formation can drastically reduce the
effectiveness of airfoils (wings, flaps, rudder, ailerons, elevators) and destroy lift and/or interfere
with the ability to control aircraft.
See also Atmospheric circulation; Atmospheric composition and structure; Atmospheric
inversion layers; Atmospheric lapse rate; Atmospheric pressure; Phase state changes;
Troposphere and tropopause; Weather forecasting methods; Weather forecasting; Weather radar;
Wind shear

Recent cloud photos and movies on clouds-online.com:

Cumulonimbus mamma Cumulonimbus mamma

Cumulonimbus arcus

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Cloud families and other cloud pictures/appearances
In meteorology we divide clouds in 4 clouds families, which are in different heights of the
troposphere: High level clouds (altitudes of 5-13 km), medium level clouds (2-7 km), low
level clouds (0-2 km) and clouds with large vertical extending (0-13 km).

These clouds families are divided in 10 cloud genus:

High level clouds at heights of 5-13 km
name

abbr
.

Cirrus

Ci

Fibrous, threadlike, white feather clouds of ice

crystals, whose form resembles hair curls.

Cirrostratus

Cs

Milky, translucent cloud veil of ice crystals, which

sometimes causes halo appearances around moon
and sun.

Cirrocumulus

Cc

Fleecy cloud; Cloud banks of small, white flakes.

example

meaning

Medium level clouds at heights of 2-7 km

Name

abbr
.

Altocumulus

Ac

Grey cloud bundles, sheds or rollers, compound like

rough fleecy cloud, which are often arranged in
banks.

Altostratus

As

Dense, gray layer cloud, often evenly and opaquely,

which lets the sun shine through only a little.

example

meaning

Low level clouds at heights of 0-2 km

Name

abbr
.

Stratocumulus

Sc

Cloud plaices, rollers or banks compound dark gray

layer cloud.

Stratus

St

Evenly grey, low layer cloud, which causes fog or

fine precipitation and is sometimes frazzled.

example

meaning

Clouds with large vertical extending at heights of 0-13 km

Name

abbr
.

Cumulus

Cu

Heap cloud with flat basis in the middle or lower

level, whose vertical development reminds of the
form of towers, cauliflower or cotton.

Cumulonimbu
s

Cb

In the middle or lower level developing

thundercloud, which mostly up-rises into the upper
level.

Nimbostratus

Ns

Rain cloud. Grey, dark layer cloud, indistinct

outlines.

example

meaning

Other cloud pictures and appearances

Name

example

meaning

other cloud photos

These photos are not assigned to individual cloud

families, because they e.g. show a chaotic sky with
many different cloud types or undefinite photos.

other appearances

Appearances, which fit into no other classifications.

Cirrus (Ci)
Description:
Fibrous, threadlike, white feather clouds of ice crystals, whose form resembles hair curls.
Origin:

By turbulence when strong vertical change of the wind direction.

By convection in unstable layers of the upper atmosphere.

By outblow of ice crystals from a Cumulonimbus or from other high-reaching clouds

when they dissolve (Cirrocumulus, Altocumulus)

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

species
Name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrus fibratus

Ci fib

thin fibers or threads

Cirrus uncinus

Ci unc

comma-shaped or hooked fibers or threads.

Cirrus spissatus

Ci spi

dense, often grey looking patches, the sun partially

masking or covering.

Cirrus castellanus

Ci cas

Small turrets-like excrescences.

Cirrus floccus

Ci flo

flaked, puffy
subspecies

Name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrus intortus

Ci in

interlaced

Cirrus vertebratus

Ci ve

Like a spinal column or fishbones arranged cloud

parts.

Cirrus radiatus

Ci ra

gathering apparently against the horizon, the whole

sky covering bands.

Cirrus duplicatus

Ci du

In two or several layers lying one above the other.

special forms

Name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrus mamma

Ci mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

the cloud

photos of Cirrus:

Cirrus vertebratus

Cirrus fibratus

Cirrus uncinus

Cirrus fibratus

Cirrus vertebratus

Cirrus spissatus

Cirrus spissatus

Cirrus uncinus

Stratocumulus (Sc)
Description:
Cloud plaices, rollers or banks compound dark gray layer cloud.
Origin:

By turbulence.

By convection in unstable air layers, which are limited by a strong inversion upward.

By undulation in very damp air layers and usually at inversions.

From other clouds (Nimbostratus, Cumulus, Stratus)

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

Species
name

abbr.

meaning

Stratocumulus
castellanus

Sc cas

turrets-like

Stratocumulus
stratiformis

Sc str

In expanded horizontal fields or strips.

Stratocumulus
lenticularis

Sc len

Elongated one, lens or almond-shaped banks with

clearly defined outlines.
subspecies

name

abbr.

meaning

Stratocumulus
undulatus

Sc un

Wavelike arrangement of the cloud parts, sometimes

in parallel rollers, which are separated by cloud strips.

Stratocumulus
radiatus

Sc ra

radially, parallel bands and strips

Stratocumulus
lacunosus

Sc la

With round, often frayed holes as with an irregular net

or a honeycomb.

Stratocumulus
duplicatus

Sc du

In two or several layers lying one above the other.

Stratocumulus
perlucidus

Sc pe

By small irregular gaps transparent.

Stratocumulus
translucidus

Sc tr

translucently

Stratocumulus
opacus

Sc op

not translucently, darkly

name

abbr.

meaning

Stratocumulus
mamma

Sc mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

the cloud cover

Stratocumulus virga

Sc vir

with drop strips

Stratocumulus
praecipitatio

Sc pra

with precipitation

special forms

photos of Stratocumulus:

Stratocumulus
perlucidus

Stratocumulus
radiatus

Stratocumulus
castellanus

Stratocumulus opacus

Stratocumulus
radiatus

Stratocumulus
undulatus

Stratocumulus
perlucidus

Stratocumulus
undulatus

Cirrostratus (Cs)
Description:
Milky, translucent cloud veil of ice crystals, which sometimes causes halo appearances
around moon and sun.
Origin:

By even and spacious rise of warmer air over colder air in the high troposphere
under stable layering.

By reorganization from the other Cirrus species.

Weather meaning
Cirrostratus:
The Cirrostratus consists, like the Cirrus und Cirrocumulus, of very small ice crystals and
does not lead to precipitation. It indicates with falling air pressure dirty weather. Particularly
with Cirrostratus nebulosus precipitation begins in 8 to 24 hours and announces frequently
by halo appearances.
Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:
species
name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrostratus fibratus

Cs fib

Fibrous veils.

Cirrostratus
nebulosus

Cs neb

Smooth, monotonous and fog-like veil.

subspecies

name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrostratus
undulatus

Cs un

Veil with wave formations.

Cirrostratus
duplicatus

Cs du

In two or several layers lying one above the other.

photos of Cirrostratus:

Cirrostratus fibratus

Cirrostratus undulatus Cirrostratus fibratus

Cirrostratus undulatus

Cirrostratus nebulosus Cirrostratus undulatus Cirrostratus undulatus Cirrostratus undulatus

Stratus (St)
Description:
Evenly grey, low layer cloud, which causes fog or fine precipitation and is sometimes
frazzled.
Origin:

By cooling of the lower air layers, in particular by thermal radiation at the upper limit
of deep-seated inversions (low Stratus).

By turbulence in the near-surface air layer, if it is enriched by precipitation with

humidity (pannus forms).

From other clouds: From Stratocumulus, whose bottom side drops; from fog.

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

species
name

abbr.

meaning

Stratus nebulosus

St neb

Nebular, rather monotonous and grey layer cloud.

Stratus fractus

St fra

Into several parts of different size and brightness

layer, which changes its form rapidly.

subspecies
name

abbr.

meaning

Stratus undulatus

St un

wavelike

Stratus translucidus

St tr

Thinly, more veil-like; Outlines of sun or moon clearly

recognizably.

Stratus opacus

St op

Closely, sun or moon completely covered.

special forms

name
Stratus praecipitatio

abbr.

meaning

St pra

With precipitation in the form of drizzles, snow grains

or ice prisms.

photos of Stratus:

Stratus opacus

Stratus fractus

Stratus nebulosus

Stratus nebulosus

Stratus fractus

Stratus nebulosus

Stratus nebulosus

Stratus opacus

Cirrocumulus (Cc)
Description:
Fleecy cloud; Cloud banks of small, white flakes.
Origin:

By convection within thin unstable layers.

By elevation in lee waves or other atmospheric waves.

By far compaction of thin Cirrus clouds.

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

species
name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrocumulus
castellanus

Cc cas

turrets-like

Cirrocumulus floccus

Cc flo

flaked puffy

Cirrocumulus
stratiformis

Cc str

Expanded horizontal fields or layers.

Cirrocumulus
lenticularis

Cc len

Lens-shaped or almond-shaped, often long stretched

bands with sharply minted outlines.

name

abbr.

meaning

Cirrocumulus
undulatus

Cc un

Wavy arranged cloud banks.

Cirrocumulus
lacunosus

Cc la

perforated (round frayed holes)

subspecies

special forms
abbr.

meaning

Cirrocumulus
mamma

name

Cc mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

the cloud

Cirrocumulus virga

Cc vir

Drop strip from ice crystals, which down-hang from

the bottom side of the Cirrocumulus.

photos of Cirrocumulus:

Cirrocumulus virga

Cirrocumulus floccus

Cirrocumulus floccus

Cirrocumulus
undulatus

Cirrocumulus floccus

Cirrocumulus virga

Cirrocumulus virga

Cirrocumulus
undulatus

Nimbostratus (Ns)

Description:
Rain cloud. Grey, dark layer cloud, indistinct outlines.
Origin:

By rise of expanded air layers into the highest cloud level.

From other clouds: By increasing of a Altostratus or by propagation from

a Cumulonimbus.

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

special forms
name

abbr.

meaning

Nimbostratus virga

Ns vir

With drop strips at the bottom side if the cloud.

Nimbostratus
praecipitatio

Ns pra

With precipitation, which reaches the ground.

Ns pan

With torn ragged clouds, which develope in the more

deeply lying unstable and turbulent layers below the
basis of the Nimbostratus due to evaporation of
precipitation and which grow together with the
Nimbostratus ( pannus also applies to Cumulus
pannus, Cumulonimbus pannus and Altostratus
pannus!)

Nimbostratus
pannus

photos of Nimbostratus:

Nimbostratus
praecipitatio

Nimbostratus pannus

Nimbostratus pannus Nimbostratus pannus

Nimbostratus
praecipitatio

Nimbostratus pannus

Nimbostratus
praecipitatio

Altocumulus (Ac)
Description:
Grey cloud bundles, sheds or rollers, compound like rough fleecy cloud, which are often
arranged in banks.
Origin:

By rise of an expanded air layer at the border of a rising zone.

By convection or turbulence within an unstable layer of the middle cloud level.

By transformation from Altostratus und Nimbostratus at lability

or Cumulus and Cumulonimbus at stability.

Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:

species
name

shorcut

meaning

Altocumulus
castellanus

Ac cas

from a common cloud bank such as growing turrets.

Altocumulus floccus

Ac flo

Individual small bundles with fringy lower parts,

frequently with schleps.

Altocumulus
stratiformis

Ac str

Expanded horizontal fields or layers.

Altocumulus
lenticularis

Ac len

lense-shaped, almond-shaped

name

shorcut

meaning

Altocumulus
undulatus

Ac un

wavelike

Altocumulus radiatus

Ac ra

radially, parallel bands and strips

Altocumulus
lacunosus

Ac la

perforated (round frayed holes)

Altocumulus
duplicatus

Ac du

In two or several layers lying one above the other.

Altocumulus
perlucidus

Ac pe

irregular sample of small gaps in the cloud cover

Altocumulus
translucidus

Ac tr

translucently

Altocumulus opacus

Ac op

dark cloud cover, sun or moon is not recognizably.

subspecies

special forms
name

shorcut

meaning

Altocumulus
mamma

Ac mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

a dense cloud cover

Altocumulus virga

Ac vir

with drop strips

photos of Altocumulus:

Altocumulus undulatus

Altocumulus
stratiformis

Altocumulus mamma

Altocumulus
perlucidus

Altocumulus
translucidus

Altocumulus
lenticularis

Altocumulus mamma

Altocumulus
perlucidus

Cumulus (Cu)
Description:
Heap cloud with flat basis in the middle or lower level, whose vertical development reminds
of the form of towers, cauliflower or cotton.
Origin:
The Cumulus always indicates an instability to the layering of air with appropriate
convection or turbulence.
Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:
special forms
name

abbr.

meaning

Cumulus fractus

Cu fra

strong tattered edges; rapidly changing contours.

Cumulus humilis

Cu hum

low and flattened.

Cumulus mediocris

Cu med

Moderate development in height.

Cumulus congestus

Cu con

Large height extension; like cauliflower-looking forms.

subspecies

name

abbr.

meaning

Cumulus radiatus

Cu ra

radially, parallel bands and strips

special forms
name

abbr.

meaning

Cumulus virga

Cu vir

with drop strips

Cumulus
praecipitatio

Cu pra

with precipitation

Cumulus arcus

Cu arc

with gust collar

Cumulus tuba

Cu tub

with funnel cloud or tornado

Cumulus pileus

Cu pil

with flat cap or hood (ice crystals).

Cumulus velum

Cu vel

With a veil (from ice) on the upper part of the

subsequent swelling - sometimes broken.

Cumulus pannus

Cu pan

with shreds (bad weather shreds)

Cumulus humilis

Cumulus mediocris

Cumulus congestus

Cumulus radiatus

Cumulus virga

Cumulus fractus

Cumulus fractus

Cumulus fractus

photos of Cumulus:

Altostratus (As)
Description:
Dense, gray layer cloud, often evenly and opaquely, which lets the sun shine through only a
little.
Origin:

By rise of expanded air layers into higher altitudes.

From other clouds: From Cirrostratus, which increases; from Altocumulus with
numerous ice crystal dragging (virga), which gives it a monotonous appearance;

from Nimbostratus, which decreases; from Cumulonimbus by propagation of the

middle and upper frozen cloud sections at inversions.
Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:
species
name

abbr.

meaning

Altostratus
undulatus

As un

with wave formations

Altostratus radiatus

As ra

Parallel stripes of the cloud, which gathers apparently

on the horizon.

Altostratus
duplicatus

As du

Two or several closely one above the other lying

Altostraus layers, which can partly grow together
(dirty weather!).

Altostratus
translucidus

As tr

Sun is to be recognized weakly through the cloud

cover.

Altostratus opacus

As op

Sun or moon is completely covered by the clouds.

name

abbr.

meaning

Altostratus mamma

As mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

the cloud

Altostratus virga

As vir

with drop strips

Altostratus
praecipitatio

As pra

With precipitation, which reaches the ground.

Altostratus pannus

As pan

With cloud frazzles, which result in more deeply lying

turbulent layers from dampness enrichment from
evaporating precipitation.

special forms

photos of Altostratus:

Altostratus
translucidus

Altostratus
translucidus

Altostratus undulatus Altostratus duplicatus

Altostratus radiatus

Altostratus virga

Altostratus
translucidus

Altostratus
translucidus

Cumulonimbus (Cb)
Description:
In the middle or lower cloud level developing thundercloud, which mostly up-rises into the
upper cloud level.
Origin:
The Cumulonimbus always indicates a strong instability to the layering of air with
appropriate convection or turbulence.
Possible cloud species, subspecies and special forms:
species
name

abbr.

meaning

Cumulonimbus
calvus

Cb cal

Preponderant smooth forms; the swellings at the

summit lose the sharp outlines.

Cumulonimbus
capillatus

Cb cap

Upper section consists of a frayed, fibrous or streaky

cloud mass.
special forms

name

abbr.

meaning

Cumulonimbus incus

Cb inc

With anvil-like upper section.

Cumulonimbus
mamma

Cb mam

sac-like, wart-like excrescences at the bottom side of

the cloud

Cumulonimbus virga

Cb vir

with drop strips

Cumulonimbus
praecipitatio

Cb pra

With precipitation (rain, hail, snow, ripe or ice pillet) in

shower form.

Cumulonimbus arcus

Cb arc

With gust collar at the bottom side of the clud.

Cumulonimbus tuba

Cb tub

with funnel cloud or tornado

Cumulonimbus
pileus

Cb pil

with cap

Cumulonimbus
velum

Cb vel

with veil

Cumulonimbus
pannus

Cb pan

with frazzles at the bottom side of the cloud.

photos of Cumulonimbus:

Cumulonimbus
mamma

Cumulonimbus incus Cumulonimbus pannus Cumulonimbus calvus

Cumulonimbus incus

Cumulonimbus calvus Cumulonimbus pannus Cumulonimbus pileus