We look up at the sky every day. Some days we have clouds others we do not. When you see the clouds, can you name the types? Over the years I have taken photos of the clouds and have never put names to them until today. So, how about we both take a walk through the clouds to see if we can identify them together!
There are four basic types of clouds. They are Cirro, Nimbo, Cumulo, and Strato. There are also three layers of clouds: High, middle and low. Let’s investigate the particulars of these cloud types shall we?
The Cirro clouds are the thin wispy clouds that we sometimes see in the sky. These clouds are generally higher than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) up and are made up of ice crystals. We can see rainbows in these clouds when the sun lowers. We can also see the wind direction from these clouds.
Cirrus – see the rainbow?
The Nimbo clouds are rain clouds. These fall in the low range and form between 7,000 to 15,000 feet (2,100 – 4,600 meters) and as the rain approaches the bottom of the cloud lowers.
Nimbus
The Cumulo clouds look like a column. The base of these clouds look flat and they can reach a height of 60,000 feet (18,000 meters). Here in the foothills we see these before we have thunderstorms. Sometimes at the top you will see the clouds flatten resembling an anvil. These clouds can be found in all three layers.
Cumulo
The Strato clouds blanket the sky. The base of this cloud is very close to the ground making it a lower layer cloud, and sometimes settles to the ground resembling fog.
Strato
Stay tuned as I will be featuring more clouds in the future! Thank you for taking the walk in the clouds with me!
Learned the names of cloud formations in school but forgot most. Cumulus Nimbus is one I have retianed so thanks for the basics to jog my memory. Good photos too!
Thanks PJ!
Today looks like a cirrus day to me!! Thanks for the lessons on our beautiful clouds, which I’ve heard before but have a hard time remembering.
I have a hard time remembering them too!