Cloud Classification
- Chapter 5, pg. 131-137
- Clouds classified on basis of
form and height
- Basic forms: cirrus, cumulus,
stratus
- Basic heights: high, middle,
low, vertical development
Root Word Meanings
- Meteorological meanings of the latin root words that continually appear in the cloud names:
- cirrus/cirro--curl, filament (high, thin clouds); cumulus/cumulo--mass, pile, heap (puffy clouds)
- stratus/strato--layer (clouds stretched horizontally); nimbo/nimbus--rain (clouds producing precipitation--rain, snow, hail, etc.)
- alto--somewhat high (clouds in the middle height range, not as high as cirrus type)
High Clouds
- Cirrus: white, delicate, wispy, fibrous, "mare’s
tails"
- Cirrostratus: thin,
transparent veil, could cover most of sky, halo
- Cirrocumulus: white patches,
small cells/ripples, "mackerel sky"
Middle Clouds
- Altostratus: grayish layer covering sky, sun often visible
as bright spot, but no halo
- Altocumulus: medium-sized patches of
rounded masses or rolls; cirrocumulus smaller, stratocumulus larger
Low Clouds
- Stratus: uniform layer covering sky, may have
drizzle/sprinkles/flurries; stratus on ground is fog
- Nimbostratus: like stratus,
but darker and a little thicker; light to moderate rain/snow that could be
widespread and long-lasting
- Stratocumulus: globular patches or rolls, look bigger than altocumulus; rolls may join together to form one continuous cloud
Vertical Development
- Cumulus: Fluffy, billowy, flat base; when top is growing tall and looks like cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus
- Cumulonimbus: Towering; when cumulus
congestus start producing precipitation, they are called cumulonimbus;
often have "anvil" at the top; T-storms, severe weather
Varieties
- Lenticular: form most often
from orographic (mountain) effects; lens shaped;
flying saucers!
- Mammatus:
rounded globs sinking from the cloud; resemble cow udders; often found
under anvil of cumulonimbus
Web Pages
- www.wolkenatlas.de
- www.pals.iastate.edu/carlson--Cool
Clouds for Kids of All Ages (includes bunny)