List of cloud types
Clouds of the genus stratus form in low horizontal layers having a ragged or uniform base. Ragged stratus often forms in precipitation while more uniform stratus forms in maritime or other moist stable air mass conditions. The latter often produces drizzle. Stratus that touches the Earth's surface is given the common name, fog, rather than a Latin name that applies only to clouds that form and remain aloft in the troposphere."Cloud types are sorted in alphabetical order except where noted".
The division of genus types into species is as shown in the following table. The species are sorted from left to right in approximate ascending order of instability or vertical extent. The genus types are arranged from top to bottom in the same ascending order of instability within each étage. (1)=Stratiform types, (2)=Cirriform types, (3)=Stratocumuliform types, (4)=Cumuliform types, (5)=Cumulonimbiform types.
Vert=Vertical or multi-level, MV=Moderate or deep vertical, TV=Towering vertical.
Atmospheric physics
Cloud physics is the study of the physical processes that lead to the formation, growth and precipitation of clouds. Clouds are composed of microscopic droplets of water (warm clouds), tiny crystals of ice, or both (mixed phase clouds). Under suitable conditions, the droplets combine to form precipitation, where they may fall to the earth. The precise mechanics of how a cloud forms and grows is not completely understood, but scientists have developed theories explaining the structure of clouds by studying the microphysics of individual droplets. Advances in radar and satellite technology have also allowed the precise study of clouds on a large scale.