Cloud Names & Types ☁️


Cloud Names List ☁️ Cloud Types, Groups & Cloud Formations 🌩️

The cloud names and types in use today date back to a book titled The Modifications of Clouds written in 1802 by amateur meteorologist Luke Howard who used latin words for the main cloud types; cirrus, stratus and cumulus. These were expanded to 10 cloud names and types, called genera which are still in use today, with some extensions by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

  • ADDucation’s cloud names List was last updated 04 Sep 2023.

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Key: CH=High clouds | CM=Medium clouds | CL=Low clouds

Cloud Names ☁️ Cloud Level: Height (ft) Height (m) Description of Cloud Types for Cloud Spotters:
Cirrus CH 20,000+ 6000+ Fine, wispy thin clouds made of ice crystals instead of water, which gives them their appearance.
Cirrostratus CH 20,000+ 6000+ Sheet-like clouds made of ice crystals that can cover the entire sky.
Cirrocumulus CH 20,000+ 6000+ Small, white clouds that look like fish scales lined up in a regular pattern, like small ripples. Sometimes called “Mackerel sky” for this reason. Called Schaefchenwolken in German which means “little sheep clouds”.
Altocumulus CM 6000-20,000 2000-6000 Gray fleecy clouds.
Altostratus CM 6000-20,000 2000-6000 Thin gray layers of clouds that sometimes bring rain.
Nimbostratus CM 6000-20,000 2000-6000 Mostly uniformly dark gray clouds with light to moderate precipitation (rain).
Stratus CL 6500- 2000- Gray, low-hanging rain clouds.
Cumulus CL 6500- 2000- Fair-weather clouds, cotton ball shaped with flattish bottoms.
Cumulonimbus CL 6500- 2000- Cumulonimbus can start near the ground but also grow to over 50,000 feet!
Stratocumulus CL 6500- 2000- Common lumpy white to dark gray clouds clumped together as a layer, often accompanied by light rain.

See also: Geographical Records… | How weather works…

Prefixes and Suffixes for Cloud Names

Cloud names often include a Latin prefix or suffix. These are the most commonly used with their meaning:

Cloud Types Translation Description
Cirrus Curl of hair High up and wispy
Cirro Curl of hair High up and wispy
Cumulus Heap Puffy
Cumulo Heap-like Puffy
Nimbus Rain Rain-bearing
Nimbo Rain-bearing Rain-bearing
Stratus Layer Flat and smooth
Strato Layer-like Flat and smooth

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