How to Build a Cloud Triangle Important View

How to Build a Cloud Triangle Important: View in “Slide Show” mode to view animations

Building the Cloud Triangle Let’s also add some elevation 6000 m Very high, thin and wispy, like a horse tail. So what do these clouds look like? Let’s make some simple sketches. First, let’s draw a triangle. Stratus Good! Now, let’s put these three cloud types at the corners. Okay, what is a common cloud type? Cumulus This one can look like popcorn or cauliflower 2000 m This one looks and feels like a thick blanket – sometimes even shapes of animals! covering the sky. Cirrus

Cirrus and Stratus can be combined to create Cirrostratus These clouds look almost like a thin veil in the sky; the Sun or moon often has a circle or halo around it 6000 m Cirrus and Cumulus can be combined to create Cirrocumulus These clouds are sometimes referred to as fish scales and are sometimes called mackerel sky Middle-level clouds are called “Alto” Altocumulus Altostratus We can combine these names to identify additional clouds These clouds are a little thicker than cirrocumulus but not as thick or low as stratus; the Sun will appear dull 2000 m These clouds sometimes form in rows called “cloud streets”; others call them a flock of sheep These clouds look like a bunch of cumulus clouds all pushed together into a blanket. Stratocumulus Stratus Cumulus

… and if it’s raining… Cirrus Cirrocumulus Cirrostratus 6000 m Altocumulus Altostratus Alto 2000 m This is usually the slow moving steady rain, often called showers. This is usually the fast moving heavy rain, often with thunder and lightening. Stratocumulus Nimbostratus Stratus Cumulonimbus Cumulus

… and voilà – the Cloud Triangle! Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus 6000 m Altocumulus Altostratus 2000 m Stratocumulus Nimbostratus Stratus Cumulonimbus Cumulus

Things to consider when building the Cloud Triangle Cirrus Placement of cloud names 1) Cirrus is a high cloud, therefore should go at the top, or apex, of the triangle. 2) I’ve placed Cumulus to the right and Stratus to the left. Why? When I add Stratocumulus to the triangle “strato” comes from the left and “cumulus” comes from the right. This will aid in remembering whether it’s stratocumulus or cumulostratus…! 3) When I add Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus to the triangle “Nimbo/nimbus” is on the outside of the word: Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus. This will also aid in remembering whether it’s nimbostratus and cumulonimbus or stratonimbus and nimbocumulus…! Nimbostratus Cumulonimbus Strato Stratus cumulus Cumulus