Cloud Types ☁️

Comprehensive guides to understanding and identifying different cloud formations. Learn how clouds form, what they mean for weather, and how to spot them in the sky.

Clouds are visible water vapor or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. They form in different shapes and altitudes, each type telling us something about current weather conditions and what may be coming. The 10 main cloud types are organized by altitude: low clouds (0-6,500 ft), middle clouds (6,500-20,000 ft), and high clouds (20,000+ ft).

Cloud Classification

Clouds are organized into three main altitude categories

Low Clouds

0 - 6,500 feet (0 - 2 km)

• Cumulus
• Stratus
• Stratocumulus
• Cumulonimbus
• Nimbostratus

Middle Clouds

6,500 - 20,000 feet (2 - 6 km)

• Altocumulus
• Altostratus
• Nimbostratus (lower)

High Clouds

20,000+ feet (6+ km)

• Cirrus
• Cirrocumulus
• Cirrostratus

Explore Cloud Types

Click on each cloud type to learn detailed information about formation, characteristics, and weather implications

Cumulus Clouds

Puffy, white clouds with flat bases - fair weather clouds

Stratus Clouds

Low, gray layers that often cover the entire sky

Cirrus Clouds

Wispy, feathery clouds at high altitudes made of ice crystals

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Towering storm clouds that produce severe weather

Altocumulus Clouds

Mid-level puffy clouds that often indicate changing weather

Altostratus Clouds

Thin gray or blue-gray layers at mid altitudes

Stratocumulus Clouds

Low, lumpy clouds that cover large areas of the sky

Nimbostratus Clouds

Dark, thick clouds that produce continuous precipitation

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Small, white puffy clouds at high altitudes in ripple patterns

Cirrostratus Clouds

Thin, transparent sheets at high altitude - often create halos

How Clouds Form

1

Evaporation

Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and land, turning into invisible water vapor

2

Rising Air

Warm air with water vapor rises in the atmosphere and cools

3

Condensation

Cool air causes water vapor to condense around particles (dust, salt), forming cloud droplets

4

Cloud Forms

Millions of tiny droplets suspended together create visible clouds

Reading Clouds for Weather

☁️ Fair Weather Signs

• Cumulus clouds with flat bases
• Few wispy cirrus clouds
• Clear skies between clouds
• Clouds staying relatively same size

⚠️ Changing Weather Signs

• Increasing cloud coverage
• Clouds getting taller/darker
• Altocumulus in patterns (mackerel sky)
• Halos around sun/moon (cirrostratus)