Clouds- Types and Formation

Cloud Names? Stratus clouds are a uniform gray and usually cover most of the sky. Cirrus clouds are thin and high in the sky. Cumulus clouds are lumpy and can stretch high into the sky. Thunderstorms are cumulus clouds, sometimes called "thunderheads." Alto- may be attached to a cloud name when it is a mid level (between 6,000 and 16,000 feet.)

Stratus Clouds Stratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. They resemble fog that does not reach the ground. Usually no precipitation falls from stratus clouds, but sometimes they may drizzle. When rain does occur, these clouds are known as nimbostratus. (nimbo= Rain)

Cumulus Clouds Cumulus clouds are puffy in appearance. Cumulus clouds usually form when warm, moist air is forced upward The clouds that produce heavy thunderstorms in summer are a form of cumulus clouds called cumulonimbus.

Cirrus Clouds Cirrus clouds are very wispy and feathery looking. They form only at high altitudes, about 7 km above the earth's surface. Cirrus clouds are composed of ice crystals and are so thin that sunlight can pass right through them.

Cumulonimbus Clouds- Cumulus and Rain

Cumulonimbus

Lenticular Clouds Lenticular clouds form wherever stable moist air flows over a mountain creating a series of waves on the downwind side.

Kelvin-Helmholz A Kelvin-Helmholz cloud forms when there are changes in wind speed and direction.

Mammatus Clouds Mammatus clouds form in sinking air. (Most clouds form in rising air.) For a mammatus to form, the sinking air must be cooler than the air around it and have high liquid water or ice content.

Cap Clouds

Lenticular Altocumulus

Virga- Precipitation evaporates before it hits the ground.

Combinations- What would the following look like? Cirrostratus? Stratocumulus? Nimbostratus? Cumulonimbus? Altocumulus?