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Cloud Types & Photos

common cloud types and heights There are ten main cloud types, or genera, which are further divided into 27 sub-types according to their height, shape, colour and associated weather.

Clouds are generally white but may appear to be grey or dark grey according to their depth and shading from higher cloud.

Cloud Names

The names of clouds are usually combinations of the following prefixes or suffixes:

Stratus/strato = flat/layered and smooth
Cumulus/cumulo = heaped up/puffy, like cauliflower
Cirrus/cirro = high up/wispy
Alto = medium level
Nimbus/Nimbo = rain-bearing cloud

Low Clouds

Low clouds comprise Stratocumulus, Stratus, Cumulus and Cumulonimbus, and occur from the surface to a height of 2.5 km.

CL=1 Cumulus with little vertical development.

CL=2 Cumulus with moderate or greater vertical development.

CL=3 Cumulonimbus, tops not fibrous. Outline not completely sharp. No anvil.

CL=4 Stratocumulus from spreading of Cumulus.

CL=5 Stratocumulus not formed from spreading of Cumulus.

CL=7 Stratus Fractus and/or Cumulus Fractus of bad weather.

CL=8 Cumulus and Stratocumulus (not from spreading Cumulus). Bases at different levels.

CL=9 Cumulonimbus with fibrous top, often with anvil.

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Middle Clouds

Middle clouds comprise Altocumulus, Altostratus and Nimbostratus, and occur between 2.5 km and 6 km above the surface.

CM=1 Altostratus, semi transparent, sun or moon dimly visible.

CM=2 Altostratus, dense enough to hide sun or moon, or Nimbostratus.

CM=3 Altocumulus, semi transparent, cloud elements change slowly. One level.

CM=4 Altocumulus patches. semi transparent. Multi-level, cloud elements changing. Also Altocumulus lenticular.

CM=5 Altocumulus, one or more bands or layers. expanding, thickening.

CM=6 Altocumulus from the spreading of Cumulus or Cumulonimbus.

CM=7 Altocumulus, one or more layers, maily opaque, not expanding, or Altocumulus with Altostratus or Nimbostratus.

CM=8 Altocumulus with tower like sproutings.

CM=9 Altocumulus of a chaotic sky, usually with heavy broken cloud sheets at different levels.

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High Clouds

High clouds comprise Cirrus, Cirrocumulus and Cirrostratus, and occur higher than 6 km above the surface.

CH=1 Cirrus filaments, strands, hook, not expanding.

CH=2 Dense Cirrus in patches or sheaves, not increasing, or Cirrus like cumuliform tufts.

CH=3 Dense Cirrus, often the anvil remaining from Cumulonimbus.

CH=4 Cirrus hooks or filamants, increasing, becoming denser.

CH=5 Cirrus bands and/or Cirrostratus, increasing, growing denser, veil below 45 degrees.

CH=6 Cirrus bands and/or Cirrostratus, increasing, growing denser, veil abovebelow 45 degrees.

CH=6 Cirrus bands and/or Cirrostratus, increasing, growing denser, veil above 45 degrees.

CH=8 Cirrostratus, not increasing, not covering whole sky.

CH=9 Cirrocumulus alone and /or Cirrus and Cirrostratus.

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