CIRRUS high Cirrus Ci high thin wispy clouds

CIRRUS (high) Cirrus (Ci) – high, thin, wispy clouds blown by winds They form long streamers called “mares’ tails” They look like a white feathery patch with a tail (Associated with fair weather, pleasant weather)

CIRROSTRATUS (high) Cirrostratus (Cs) Thin sheetlike, glary white, blue sky between Ice crystals in these clouds refract light Often produce a halo Form a head of an advancing storm

CIRROCUMULUS (high) Cirrocumulus (Cc) Small, rounded, white puffs, have rippling appearance Occur in individually or long rows w/ blue sky around Resemble scales of a fish “mackerel sky”

ALTOCUMULUS (middle) Altocumulus (Ac) Gray, puffy masses rolled out in waves or bands “Little Castles” rising air (Large scales or ripples) warm, humid morning-thunderstorms in the afternoon

ALTOSTRATUS (middle) Altostratus (As) Gray, blue-gray, cover whole sky Sun or moon may be seen as a round disk “watery sun” Form a head of storm and have continue precipitation

STRATUS (low) Stratus (St) Fog (not quite reaching ground) Little to light precipitation any fog is considered a low lying stratus cloud

NIMBOSTRATUS (LOW/RAIN) Nimbostratus (Ns) Very dark, covering entire sky Poor visibility with light to moderate precipitation

STRATOCUMULUS (low) Stratocumulus (Sc) low, lumpy, appear in rows, patches, or puffy masses seen near sunset, dark bottoms with blue around them rarely rain or snow

CUMULUS (vert. developing) Cumulus (Cu) White random puffs (like floating cotton) Rising air forming towers Humid day (can be sunny)

CUMULONIMBUS Cumulonimbus (Cb) Cumulus that continues growth upward (base to top can extend up to 39, 000 ft) Thick w/ flat top (anvil shaped) looks like an explosion Storm cloud that can contain all forms of precipitation (lightning/thunderstorms, tornadoes)