Cloud Types

• 20,000 – 43,000 ftCirrus• High Level• wispy, feathery, hairlike, delicate fibers, streaks or plumes

Cirrocumulus• High Level• Appears as tufts, in lines or groups, sometimes in ripples

Cirrostratus• High Level• Veil of fused sheets of ice crystals, milky.• Sun and moon halos.

Cloud TypesMid-level

Altocumulus• Middle Level• Patches of cotton balls

Altostratus • 6,500 – 20,000 ft.Altostratus• Middle Level• Thin to thick with no halos, sun’s outline just visible, grey day

Cloud TypesLow Level

Nimbostratus• Grey dark low clouds with drizzling rain

Stratus• Low Level• Uniform, featureless, grey, like high fog

Stratocumulus• Low Level• Soft, grey, globular mases in lines, groups, or waves, heavyrolls, irregular overcast patterns.

Cloud TypesVertically developed

Cumulus• Vertically developed• Sharply outlined, puffy, billowy, flat based, swelling tops, fairweather

Cumulus• Vertically developed• Sharply outlined, puffy, billowy, flat based, swelling tops, fairweather

Cumulonimbus• Vertically developed• Dense, heavy, dark massive thunderstorms• hard showers, explosive top, great vertical development• cirrus topped plume blown into anvil shaped head.

Cumulonimbus• Vertically developed• Dense, heavy, dark massive thunderstorms• hard showers, explosive top, great vertical development• cirrus topped plume blown into anvil shaped head.