1. Latin Root Translation Example cumulus heap fair weather cumulus
Get off of my cloud!!!
Latin Root Translation Example
cumulus heap fair weather cumulus
stratus layer altostratus
cirrus curl of hair cirrus
nimbus rain cumulonimbus
Classifications Types
High-Level Clouds cirrus and cirrostratus
Mid-Level Clouds altocumulus, altostratus
Low-Level Clouds nimbostratus and stratocumulus
Clouds with Vertical Development fair weather cumulus,cumulonimbus
Other Cloud Types contrails, billow clouds, mammatus,
orographic and pileus clouds

2. High-Level Clouds Cirrostratus Cirrus
sheet-like, high-level clouds composed of ice crystals
can cover the entire sky and be up to several thousand feet thick
relatively transparent
form when a broad layer of air is lifted by large-scale convergence
Cirrus
thin and wispy
found at heights greater than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) - most common
composed of ice crystals
occur in fair weather
point in the direction of air movement at their elevation

3. appear as parallel bands or rounded masses
Mid-Level Clouds
Altocumulus
appear as parallel bands or rounded masses
partly shaded, distinguishs from the high-level cirrocumulus
form by convection in an unstable layer resulting from the gradual
lifting of air in advance of a cold front
The presence of altocumulus clouds on a warm and humid summer morning is
commonly followed by thunderstorms later in the day.

4. Low-Level Clouds Nimbostratus Stratocumulus
dark, low-level clouds accompanied by light to moderately falling precipitation
bases lie below 6,500 feet (2,000 meters)
primarily composed of water droplets when temperatures are cold enough, contain ice particles and snow
Stratocumulus
low, lumpy layer of clouds sometimes accompanied by weak precipitation
vary in color from dark gray to light gray
may appear as rounded masses, rolls, etc., with breaks of clear sky in between

5. Clouds with Vertical Development Fair weather cumulus
appearance of floating cotton
have a lifetime of 5-40 minutes
flat bases and distinct outlines
fair weather cumulus exhibit only slight vertical growth
the cloud tops designate the limit of the rising air
*** can develop into towering cumulonimbus clouds associated with powerful thunderstorms
Cumulonimbus clouds
much larger and more vertically developed
can exist as individual towers or form a line of towers called a squall line
fueled by strong convective updrafts (sometimes in excess 50 knots)
the tops can easily reach 39,000 feet (12,000 meters) or higher

6. Other Cloud Types Contrails
cold temperatures freeze water droplets in seconds
the injection of water vapor by exhaust fumes from a jet engine
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