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 Cirrocumulus:
Look like rippled sand. An omen of fair weather,
they usually follow a storm and dissipate to leave a
clear sky. Height: 3-5 miles. |
 Altocumulus:
Fair-weather clouds, generally on a larger
scale than cirrocumulus, thicker, not as white, and
with shadows in them. Usually appear after a storm at
a height of 1-4 miles. |
 Cumulonimbus:
Low thunder clouds. Dark and menacing, with
the top flattening out in an anvil shape. Brings hail,
strong winds, thunder and lightning. They can cause
false cirrus (above) and false nimbostratus (below).
These clouds are 1-6 miles in altitude. These
are the normal storm clouds. |
 Cumulus:
Easily recognisable fluffy white clouds. Usually
indicate fair weather when widely spaced, but when large
and close they are capable of producing short spells
of heavy rain. Height of 1.5 miles or less. These
are the normal fair-weather clouds. |
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 Cirrus:
High, wispy clouds formed from ice crystals
which give them a white colour. Only seen in fine weather,
at an altitude of 3-6 miles. |
 Cirrostratus:
Similar to Cirrus, these clouds often produce
a halo around the sun or moon. These clouds are an indication
that rain could be on the way. Height: 3-5.5 miles. |
 Altostratus:
Form a greyish veil across the sky. These clouds
will turn to darker Nimbostratus just before rain. Height
of 1.5-4 miles. These are the normal overcast
clouds. |
 Nimbostratus:
Form low, dark blankets, which signal imminent
rain, usually lasting several hours. Height: 1-3 miles.
These are the normal rain clouds. |
 Stratocumulus:
Form a low, lumpy mass of cloud, but often
thin enough to allow sunlight through. Though rain may
precipitate, they often dissapear in the afternoon to
leave a clear night. Below 1.5 miles. |
 Stratus:
These clouds are hill fog and are very low.
They are wet but rarely produce rain. When they form
overnight and in the morning they usually leave a fine,
clear day. Below 1.5 miles. These clouds are
often described as fog. |
