Clouds

Clouds

My clouds are in alphabetical order… you're
welcome

Altocumulus

Altitude: 6,500 and 20,000 feet up

What they look like: appear as parallel bands or
rounded masses

Weather with that cloud: Cold front coming

Altostratus

Altitude: 6,000 - 20,000

What they look like: Gray or blue-gray clouds that usually
covers the whole sky. The Sun or moon may shine through
an altostratus cloud, but will appear watery or fuzzy.

Weather with that cloud: A storm with continuous rain or
snow might be on its way.

Cirrocumulus

Altitude: Above 18,000 feet

What they look like: Small rounded puffs that usually
appear in long rows high in the sky. Usually white but
sometimes appear grey.

Weather with that cloud: Common in winter
and indicate fair, but cold, weather.

Cirrostratus

Altitude: above 20,000 feet

What they look like: Clouds are high, thin sheet-like clouds that
usually cover the entire sky. The clouds are so thin that the Sun or
moon can sometimes shine through and appear to have a halo as
light hits the ice crystals and bends.

Weather with that cloud: Usually comes 12 to 24 hours before a
rain or snowstorm.

Cirrus

Altitude: Above 18,000 feet

What they look like: They look like long, thin, wispy
white streamers.
Weather with that cloud: Often seen during fair
weather

Cumulonimbus

Altitude: Range from near the ground to above 50,000 feet

What they look like: High winds will flatten the top of the cloud out
into an anvil-like shape.

Weather with that cloud: Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm
clouds and are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and
sometimes tornadoes.

Cumulus

Altitude: 6,000 feet

What they look like: Look like floating cotton balls

Weather with that cloud: Cumulus clouds can be
associated with fair or stormy weather. Watch for
rain showers when the cloud’s tops look like
cauliflower heads.

Nimbostratus

Altitude: below 6,500

What they look like: Nimbostratus are dark, low-
level clouds
Weather with that cloud: Light to moderate
precipitation

Stratus

Altitude: below 6,000 feet

What they look like: Uniform gray in color and can cover
most or all of the sky. Stratus clouds can look like a fog
that doesn't reach the ground.

Weather with that cloud: Light mist or drizzle is sometimes
falling when stratus clouds are in the sky.