Definition of clouds
Cloud type by altitude and latitude
Level | Genera | Polar region | Temperate region | Tropical region |
---|---|---|---|---|
High | Cirrus Cirrocumulus Cirrostratus | 3 – 8 km (10 000 – 25 000 ft) | 5 – 13 km (16 500 – 45 000 ft) | 6 –18 km (20 000 – 60 000 ft) |
Middle | Altocumulus Altostratus Nimbostratus | 2 – 4km (6 500 – 13 000 ft) | 2 – 7 km (6 500 – 23 000 ft) | 2 – 8 km (6 500 – 25 000 ft) |
Low | Stratus Stratocumulus Cumulus Cumulonimbus | From the Earth’s surface to 2 km (0 – 6 500ft) | From the Earth’s surface to 2 km (0 – 6 500ft) | From the Earth’s surface to 2 km (0 – 6 500ft) |
Cloud type by genera
Description | Troposphere |
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Cloud type by genera & species
GENERA | SPECIES | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Designation | Abbreviation | Symbols | Designation | Abreviation |
High altitude clouds: 6 –18 km | ||||
Cirrus | Ci | ![]() |
Fibratus | fib |
Cirrocumulus | Cc | ![]() |
Uncinus | unc |
Cirrostratus | Cs | ![]() |
spissatus | spi |
Middle clouds: 2 – 8 km | ||||
Altocumulus | Ac | ![]() |
castellanus | cas |
Altostratus | As | ![]() |
floccus | flo |
Nimbostratus | Ns | ![]() |
stratiformis | str |
Low altitude: rom the Earth’s surface to 2 km | ||||
Stratocumulus | Sc | ![]() |
nebulosus | neb |
Stratus | St | ![]() |
lenticularis | len |
Cumulus | Cu | ![]() |
fractus | fra |
Cumulus | Cu | ![]() |
humilis | hum |
Cumulus | Cu | ![]() |
mediocris | med |
Cumulus | Cu | ![]() |
congestus | con |
Cumulonimbus | Cb | ![]() |
volutus | vol |
Cumulonimbus | Cb | ![]() |
calvus | cal |
Cumulonimbus | Cb | ![]() |
capillatus | cap |