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.
Station model
The symbols used for clouds emulate the cloud shape. Cirrus is indicated by a couple hooks, cumulus are indicated by a mound shape, with cumulonimbus indicated with an upside down trapezoid on top of the cumulus symbol to indicate its anvil. When there is more than one cloud type present per level, the cloud type with the highest priority is included. Knowing the cloud type at various locations can help determine whether or not a weather front has passed by a particular location. A low deck of stratus could indicate a station is still north of a warm front, while thunderstorms can indicate the approach of a squall line or cold front.