Today, we will discuss the Types of Clouds. We often see how clouds beautify the sky. But what are they made of? Nothing but water droplets or crystals of ice float in the air. But the shape, size and look vary from one cloud to the other. This can predict a weather change too.
The different types of clouds that we spot in the sky are mostly based on how up they do hover in the troposphere. Each type has several varieties or categories, you may say. Here, we shall cover the list of those clouds at different levels of the surface.
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Types Of Clouds
1. High-level Clouds
This type of cloud floats up to 5 Km to 13 Km above the surface. There are three varieties:
• Cirrocumulus-
These are the most gorgeous clouds that you will ever spot. The pattern appears to be small white fluff. Sometimes, they do have a greyish colour and make a picture like the fish scales in the sky. Even though they can mean cold pleasant weather but never brings rainfall.
• Cirrus
You will find Cirrus clouds floating in the air at any time of the year. These appear to be thin and silky sheen. Before sunrise and sunset, these turn yellow and a bit reddish respectively.
• Cirrostratus
If we talk about their appearance, these types of clouds look like a curly blanket floating in the sky. Because of its translucent feature, it makes it easier for the sun or the moon to peer through. The colour differs from grey to white. If they are purely white, it signifies they have stored moisture. Also, they always float towards the west.
2. Mid-level Clouds
This second type of cloud appears at the height of 2 Km to 7 Km above the surface. The three varieties are:
• Altocumulus
Thetheselouds form at a lower altitude and thus they’re mostly made up of water droplets. They usually float between the lower stratus clouds and higher cirrus clouds. While appearing at the same time as the other types of clouds, a storm occurs. Moderate rainfall can be expected when these types of clouds get spotted.
• Altostratus
Clouds of this type are strongly associated with light rainfall. Talking more about it, altostratus clouds are smooth, and grey. They are often known as ‘boring clouds’.
• Nimbostratus
These gloomy clouds are responsible for bringing heavy rainfall and can block out the sun. At times, they do descend to the lower altitudes. Nimbostratus clouds form when the moist air accumulates over a large air.
3. Low-level Clouds
The third type of cloud usually appears 2 Km above the surface. However, it has four varieties:
• Stratus
These are composed of thin layers of clouds which cover a large area of the sky. Not to forget to mention it as the mist or fog when it forms close to the ground. More precisely, they are the long horizontal layers of clouds which appear like fog. Stratus clouds are quite common, especially in the coastal and mountainous regions.
• Cumulus
Cumulus clouds can easily be recognisable. They appear as cute cotton piles. When they float, it brings fresh and fair weather. At times, they may bring rainfall or a form of a light shower. Especially in the polar regions, you can easily spot this variety.
• Cumulonimbus
This type of cloud appears to be fluffy and white. But the formation is pretty huge. Well, cumulonimbus clouds are both low-level and high-level types of clouds. When formed at the low-altitude base, it is mostly made of water droplets. But, when in the high-altitude summit, it is mostly formed by ice crystals. This brings thunderstorms. During the summer and spring afternoons, you can expect this type of cloud to float in the air.
• Stratocumulus
Last, but not there are a variety of cloud clouds that are like a thick white cotton blanket. Depending on its thickness, the stratocumulus will have light to dark grey. Rain is imminent when these clouds are spotted in the sky. However, most of the time it brings drizzle.
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