Learn these 10 cloud types and names and be able to describe them in your own words. [cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, altstratus, altocumulus, stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus, cumulus, cumulonimbus]
Root wordsCirro highAlto middle
Root wordsCummulo puffy or clouds with vertical structureStratus –sheet like (uniform layer)Nimbo - associated with precipitation
Cirocumulus clouds are often referred to as a mackerel (fish) sky.
Cirrocumulus: high puffy clouds
Gordo's cloud gallery (cirrus clouds or mares tails)All photos and text Copyright © 1998-2001 Gordon Richardson
Cirrus (whispy)
Cirrostratus are a uniform layer of ice particle and often have a halo around the moon or sun.
Cirrostratus (Halo)
Gordo's cloud galleryAll photos and text Copyright © 1998-2001 Gordon Richardson
Cirrostratus (Halo)
http://www.amtsgym-sdbg.dk/as/halo/
SunDogs
AltocummulusMiddle puffy clouds
AltostratusDim view of sun
StratusLike high fog
stratocummulusLayer of low puffy clouds
NimostratusLow level uniform rainy cloud
Scud: little disconnected clouds
Fair weather cummulusEasy to confuse with stratocummulus
Cumulus congestus
cumulonimbusThunderhead
Banner cloud
Gordo's cloud galleryAll photos and text Copyright © 1998-2001 Gordon Richardson
Lenticular clouds Lens shaped
http://www.crystalinks.com/lenticular.html
My Fuji
Lenticular CloudsMt. Rainer
Mammatus CloudsBag like
http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/june2004hastings-mammatus.html
Mammatus Clouds
Aircraft concentration vapor trailContrail. When the upper atmosphere is dry they disappear fairly fast; when it’s humid they persist for some time.
Make observations of sky cover directly upward to get correct reading.
Height to cloud base estimated with a laser ceilometer.