Learn About the Many Different Cloud Types
By observing clouds, you can often predict the incoming weather! See our Guide to Clouds with pictures of the most common cloud types in the sky (classified by altitude and shape)—and what different types of weather clouds predict!
Types of Clouds
Some clouds are as high as a jet; others kiss mountaintops. Some are white puffs and some are grey and lumpy. Overall, there are three different types of clouds: high, middle, and low.
Credit: www.metoffice.gov.uk
I. High Clouds
Bases start above 20,000 feet, on average
1. Cirrus: Thin, feather-like, wispy clouds which are strands of ice crystals.
Weather prediction: A change is on its way!
Image: Cirrus Clouds
2. Cirrocumulus: Thin clouds that appear as small “cotton patches.”
Weather prediction: Fair, but cold. In the tropics, hurricane potential!
Trivia: Sometimes, this is a called a “mackerel sky” based on the folklore, “Mare’s tails and mackerel scales make tall ships take in their sails.” These clouds can precede an approaching warm front. Warm fronts can bring veering winds and precipitation. So, a sailor might take in his sails.
Image: Cirrocumulus Clouds.
3. Cirrostratus: Thin white clouds that resemble veils that tend to cover the whole sky. They are more common in winter.
Weather prediction: Rain or snow will arrive within 24 hours!
Image: Cirrostratus Clouds
II. Middle- to Low-Level Clouds
Bases start at between 6,500 and 20,000 feet
1. Altocumulus: Gray or white layers or patches of solid clouds with rounded shapes, and they often appear as fluffy ripples. They are made of liquid water, but they don’t often produce rain.
Weather prediction: Fair and pleasant!
Image: Altocumulus clouds
2. Altostratus: Grayish or bluish layer of clouds that can obscure the Sun, usually covering the entire sky.
Weather prediction: Be prepared for continuous rain or snow!
Image: Altostratus clouds
3. Nimbostratus: Dark, gray, shapeless cloud layers containing rain, snow, or ice pellets. They are often thick enough to block out the Sun.
Weather prediction: Gloomy with persistent rain or snow
Image: Nimbostratus clouds
III. Low Clouds
Bases start below 6,500 feet
1. Stratus: Thin, gray-white, sheetlike clouds with low bases covering the whole sky.
Weather prediction: Fair, but gloomy. They may bring drizzle or snow, but won’t dump too much precipitation because they are so thin.
Image: Stratus clouds
2. Stratocumulus: Rounded cloud masses that form in a layer. Often, they have a darkish tint instead of bright white.
Weather prediction: Fair weather for now, but a storm might be on its way.
Image: Stratocumulus clouds
IV. Low Clouds With Vertical Development
Form at almost any altitude and can reach to more than 39,000 feet
1. Cumulus: Fluffy, white, cotton-ball clouds with flat bases and dome-shape tops.
Weather prediction: Fair weather in store!
Image: Cumulonimbus clouds
2. Cumulonimbus: Large, dark, vertical clouds with bulging top that can grow to towering heights on hot, humid days.
Weather prediction: These bring showers, thunder, and lightning.
Want to see more cloud pictures? Imagine clouds shaped like jellyfish and flying saucers! See Rare Clouds and Pictures.
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Thanks for the cloud / weather information; very interesting!!
Good Morning,
Regarding the types of clouds which form in the sky, would someone please explain why we have multiple planes going over day and night leaving long trails which morph into clouds and completely block out the sun. I have been told this is normal contrail activity but I cannot believe this. Thank you for any info.
Regards,
Noreen
When I was young 58 Year's ago the Vapor Trail's coming from Jet Planes used to Disappear about 3 Planes lengths behind the Plane ! Now this Happen sometimes But sadly Something has Changed in either The Fuel being used or The Way the Modern Jet Engine's work, as the Trail Grows into a Cloud as you & me & many others are seeing regularly in Our Sky's! Then there comes a Huge Storm Weather Event's!
Noreen, there is typically great confusion between "chemtrails" and "contrails".
The latter are simply clouds formed the passage of air through and around the jet motor, and are common and harmless.
The former is someone spraying the atmosphere with a chemical. They should not be confused, but regularly are.
Typically a contrail comes only from the turbine exhaust, and doesn't always occur at all, their formation depends on temperature and humidity, and sometimes they can start and stop abruptly due to changes in humidity or temperature, or engine settings, which can give rise to the belief that they are chemtrails.
Do not worry about contrails, however, chemtrails other than cloud seeding for rain, which could include something more sinister or stupid, are everyone's business.
Noreen, They're not normal, They are called ch em trails, You'll have to do your own research on them.
Agree
show pronunciation of cloud names.
Great question! We added the pronunciations by cloud type above!
Did you know that the higher the clouds, the finer the weather? If you spot high, wispy clouds, expect a nice day!
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