Types of Storm Clouds

Altocumulus (From Latin Altus, "high", cumulus, "heaped") is a middle-altitude cloud genus that belongs mainly to the stratocumuliform physical category characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus.

Altostratus is formed by the lifting of a large mostly stable air mass that causes invisible water vapor to condense into cloud. It can produce light precipitation, often in the form of virga. If the precipitation increases in persistence and intensity, the altostratus cloud may thicken into nimbostratus.

What are Cirrocumulus Clouds Cirrocumulus clouds are also one of the most photogenic clouds and sought after clouds when it comes to scenic photography as these high level clouds have the ability to fill the entire sky and be ignited by the sun as it rises and sets below the horizon.

Cirrostratus clouds sometimes signal the approach of a warm front if they form after cirrus and spread from one area across the sky, and thus may be signs that precipitation might follow in the next 12 to 24 hours or as soon as 6–8 hours if the front is fast moving.

Cloud types are sorted in alphabetical order except where noted. WMO genera. Altocumulus (altus and cumulus) - Latin for "high heap": Applied to mid-level stratocumuliform. Altostratus (altus and stratus) - "High sheet": Applied to mid-level stratiform. Cirrocumulus (cirrus and cumulus) - "Hair-like heap": Applied to high-level stratocumuliform.

Towering cumulonimbus clouds are typically accompanied by smaller cumulus clouds. The cumulonimbus base may extend several miles across and occupy low to middle altitudes - formed at altitude from approximately 200 to 4,000 m (700 to 10,000 ft).

Cumulus clouds are often precursors of other types of clouds, such as cumulonimbus, when influenced by weather factors such as instability, moisture, and temperature gradient. Normally, cumulus clouds produce little or no precipitation, but they can grow into the precipitation-bearing congestus or cumulonimbus clouds.

Stratocumulus Perlucidus is a layer of stratocumulus clouds with small spaces, appearing in irregular pattern, through which clear sky or higher clouds can be seen. Stratocumulus Translucidus consist of separate groups of stratocumulus clouds, with a clear sky (or higher clouds) visible between them. No precipitation in most cases.

Mutatus mother cloud. Stratus stratocumulomutatus; Tropospheric cloud types with Latin etymologies where applicable. Cloud types are sorted in alphabetical order except where noted. WMO genera. Altocumulus (altus and cumulus) - Latin for "high heap": Applied to mid-level stratocumuliform. Altostratus (altus and stratus) - "High sheet": Applied to mid-level stratiform.