Different Types of Clouds

Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered just what type of cloud you were looking at?  I always find it fascinating looking at clouds and trying to predict the type of weather they will bring.

The different types of clouds can be broken down into three categories: low level, mid level and high level.  The lowest level types of clouds in the atmosphere are stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus.  Mid level clouds are altocumulus and altostratus.  The highest clouds in the atmosphere (ones that are all the way at the at the top of the atmosphere) are cirrus, cirrostratus and cirrocumulus.  Cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorm clouds) can also grow to high heights in the atmosphere.


So, how exactly do these types of clouds form?  Cirrus clouds are typically the most common type of high cloud.  They have the 'wispy' look to them in the sky.  Cirrus clouds are made up of ice crystals because they form where the temperature is well below freezing.  What's neat about cirrus clouds is they usually indicate a change in the weather will occur within a day or two!  So next time you look up in the sky and see those wispy cirrus clouds you'll know that changing weather is on the way.

The 'alto' cloud is the mid level cloud because they form in the middle part of the atmosphere.  Altostratus clouds are typically grey or have a bluish-grey look to them.  Often times this type of cloud covers the whole sky, but sometimes the light from the sun or moon (at night) can be seen through them.  The altostratus cloud can form ahead of storms that would bring either rain or snow.  Altocumulus clouds have a resemblance to cumulus clouds (puffy, cotton ball type clouds) but are smaller in size and usually form in groups. 

Clouds that form in the lowest level of the atmosphere are the stratus, cumulus and stratocumulus clouds.  The stratus clouds are often gray in color and can sometimes take up the entire sky.  Often times on a chilly winter or fall day stratus clouds will develop and sometimes produce drizzle or very light flurries/snow.

Cumulus clouds are my favorite!  Those are the types of clouds that look like puffy cotton balls in the sky.  Cumulus clouds that form on a quiet afternoon are referred to as 'fair-weather' cumulus clouds.  One common thing you'll notice with cumulus clouds is that their bases are all flat and form at the same height.  When enough instability is present in the atmosphere, the cumulus cloud can build into what we call a cumulonimbus cloud and produce thunderstorms.

Stratocumulus clouds are actually the type of clouds we had earlier in the week behind departing low pressure.  These clouds look like cumulus clouds, but they are lower and form in rows.  Often times you can see the sun in between the rows of clouds.  This type of cloud doesn't usually produce any precipitation.  It just forms when there is cooler air aloft in the atmosphere.