Clouds

  1. 0-6,500 ft, Low uniform layer resembling fog but not resting on the ground. May produce drizzle.
    Stratus
  2. 0-6,500 ft - amorphous layer of dark gray clouds. On of the primary precipitation producing clouds.
    Nimbostratus
  3. 6,500-20,000 ft, Stratified veil of clouds that is generally thin and may produce very light precipitation. When thin, the sun or moon may still be visible as a "bright spot" but no halos are produced. 
    Altostratus
  4. 6,500-20,000 ft White to gray clouds, often made up of separate globules; " Sheepback" clouds.
    Altocumulus
  5. Above 20,000 ft - Thin, delicate, fibrous, ice-crystal clouds. Sometimes appear as hooked called "mares tails".
    Cirrus
  6. Above 20,000 ft. Thin sheet of white, ice-crystal clouds that may give the sky a milky look. Sometimes produce halos around the sun and moon. 
    Cirrostratus
  7. Above 20,000 ft. Thin, white, ice-crystal clouds. In the from of ripples or waves, or globular masses all in a row. May produce a "mackerel Sky". Least common of high clouds.
    Cirrocumulus
  8. 0-6,500 ft. Dense, billowy clouds often characterized by flat bases. May occur as isolated clouds or closely packed.
    Cumulus
  9. Lens-shaped clouds, are common in rugged or mountainous topographies.
    Lenticular Altocumulus
  10. 0-6,500 ft. Towering cloud, sometimes spreading out on top to form an "Anvil head" Associated with heavy rainfall, thunder, lighting, hail, and tornadoes.
    Cumulonimbus
Author
dolree
ID
345696
Card Set
Clouds
Description
Clouds
Updated