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).

FAQs About Clouds and Cloud Formations

What Are the Ten Cloud Types and Groups?

The ten cloud types are: Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus (high clouds), Altocumulus, Altostratus and Nimbostratus (medium clouds), Stratocumulus, Stratus, Cumulus, Cumulonimbus (low clouds).

Why do Clouds Appear to be White?

Because they are made from ice crystals which scatter the light into the seven wavelengths which fuse together and appear as white light. Cloud formations turn grey when they are thick enough to prevent all the light passing through them or when other nearby clouds cast their shadows on each other.

How do Clouds Form?

Clouds form when invisible water vapor in the air bumps into aerosols (dust) and condenses into water or ice. When the air is full of water vapor clouds form in one of two ways; either the water in the air increases, or the air cools to condensation (or dew) point so that it cannot hold any more water. Warm air can hold more water vapor.

ADDucation’s cloud names List was compiled by A C, last updated Dec 31, 2022 @ 3:05 pm.

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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.

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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