Clouds Classifications

'Clouds' are a sufficiently distinctive result of condensation to be discussed in some detail. They consist of tiny particle, either of water or of ice, which floats in masses at various heights above sea-level, ranging from ground level (where they occur in the form of) to the highest wisps at 40,000 feet.

"Cloud is the mass a mass of tiny visible particles, usually of water (0.0008 to  0.0024 inches in diameter), sometimes of ice, which form by condensation on nuclei such as dust and smoke particles, salt, pollen and negative ions. The float in masses at various height above sea level, ranging from near the ground (fog or mist) to over 40,000 feets."

Clouds are classified:
(I) By Height

• Low clouds upto 8,000 feet
• Medium clouds at 8,000-20,000 feet
• High clouds at 20,000-40,000 feet

(II) By Form

• Feathery or fibrous (Cirrus)
• Globular or heaped (Cumulus)
• Sheet of layer (Stratus)

Other types (see individual names) are distinguished by combination of the three form names, by adding the suffix 'Alto' to indicate height, and 'Nimbus' to signify falling rain, thus forming ten main generally. Other variation are:

• Lens shaped Lenticularis
• Turret shaped Castellatus
• Breast shaped Mammatus
• Tattered ragged clouds (Fracto-) and many more

NAME	HEIGHT	DESCRIPTION	REMARKS
stratus	0-1500ft	Whitish, grey layer, often covering hills.	May give drizzle.
cumulonimbus	1500-6500ft	Huge towers of heavy dense clouds. The tops are flat, usually spreading.	Often bring showers and thunder.
cumulus	1500-6500ft	Detached dense clouds with sharp outlines and rising domes, mounds or towers.	Associated with sunny weather and scattered showers.
stratocumulus	1500-6500ft	Grey or white rolling patches or sheets.	Bring dull weather, sometimes with drizzle.
nimbostratus	3000-10000ft	Dark grey cloud layer, usually diffused by rain or snow.	Ragged patches of stratus may occur below the layer.
altostratus	3000-10000ft	Flat, thick blue-grey sheet.	Indicates rain or snow if associated with cirrostratus.
altocumulus	6500-23000ft	White or grey rounded clouds,	Usually break up leaving good weather.
cirrostratus	16500-45000ft	A transparent milky veil which can be fibrous or smooth.	Indicates rain later.
cirrocumulus	16500-45000ft	Thin rippled sheets of rounded clouds.	Form on the edge of unsettled weather.
cirrus	16500-45000ft	Fibrous or hairlike clouds with a silky sheen.	An indication of bad weather to follow with strong winds at the cloud level.
nacreous		Mother of pearl clouds found very high over mountains, usually lit by sunlight.
noctilucent		Very high bluish clouds, probably cosmic dust. Normally only seen in high latitudes.