Cloud Types Flashcards

Flashcards about cloud vocabulary and types.

Cumulus

Fluffy, white clouds with a flat base, usually meaning fair weather but can grow into storms.

Stratus

Low, gray clouds that spread across the sky like a blanket, often bringing overcast skies and light drizzle.

Cirrus

Thin, wispy clouds high in the sky, made of ice crystals, often signaling a change in weather.

Strato-

Prefix meaning low-level clouds, usually below 6,500 feet.

Alto-

Prefix meaning mid-level clouds, found between 6,500 and 20,000 feet.

Cirro-

Prefix meaning high-level clouds, above 20,000 feet.

Cirrus Clouds

High-altitude clouds made mostly of ice crystals that are thin, wispy, and feather-like, usually white and delicate, and found at altitudes above 20,000 ft (6,000 m).

Cirrostratus

Thin, sheet-like cirrus clouds that may cover the sky and create a halo around the sun or moon.

Cirrocumulus

Small, white patches or ripples of cirrus clouds—like fish scales (often called a mackerel sky).

Cumulus Clouds

Puffy, white clouds that resemble cotton balls, have flat bases and rounded tops, and typically form at low to mid-level altitudes and often appear on sunny days due to surface heating.

Cumulus humilis

Small, fair-weather cumulus clouds.

Cumulus congestus

Taller, developing cumulus clouds that may lead to storms.

Cumulonimbus

Large thunderstorm clouds (see under Nimbus too).

Stratus Clouds

Low-level, gray clouds that often cover the entire sky like a blanket, are uniform, flat layers that often resemble fog that hasn't touched the ground, and are typically found below 6,500 ft (2,000 m).

Stratocumulus

Low, lumpy layers of stratus clouds with breaks of clear sky.

Nimbostratus

Thick, dark layers of stratus clouds that bring continuous rain or snow (see under Nimbus too).

Nimbus Clouds

Clouds that produce precipitation.

Cumulonimbus

Towering clouds with anvil tops, responsible for thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes.

Nimbostratus

Thick, dark clouds covering the sky, bringing prolonged, steady rain or snow.