Information Sources: NASA: University of Missouri, Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences On-line Cloud Atlas: National Weather Service Glossary Introduction Cloud- A visible aggregate of minute water droplets or ice particles in the atmosphere above the Earth's surface. () Cloud Types: Various types of clouds were first classified in 1803 by Mr. Luke Howard, in 1803. Mr. Howard classified four main cloud types using Latin terms: Cumulus: meaning and describes heaped, clouds; “pile” Cirrus: meaning of hair” and is used to name clouds that look like wispy locks of “curl hair; Featureless clouds that form sheets are named stratus, meaning “layer.” Nimbus, which means to name low, gray rain clouds. “cloud,” Nimbostratus (abbrev. NS)- A cloud of the class characterized by a formless layer that is almost uniformly dark gray; a rain cloud of the layer type, of low altitude, usually below 8000 ft (2400 m). () Subsequent studies have refined cloud designations into additional cloud types based on whether the clouds produce precipitation and what shape they attain. Currently, clouds identification has grown and the forms of clouds and subsequent dispensation or non-dispensation of moisture has resulted in the classification of twelve types based on three factors: the altitude at the cloud occurs, the shape of the cloud, and whether the cloud is producing precipitation. Cloud Classifications
Information Sources: NASA: University of Missouri, Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences On-line Cloud Atlas: National Weather Service Glossary Introduction Cloud- A visible aggregate of minute water droplets or ice particles in the atmosphere above the Earth's surface. () Cloud Types: Various types of clouds were first classified in 1803 by Mr. Luke Howard, in 1803. Mr. Howard classified four main cloud types using Latin terms: Cumulus: meaning “pile” and describes heaped, clouds; Cirrus: meaning “curl of hair” and is used to name clouds that look like wispy locks of hair; Featureless clouds that form sheets are named stratus, meaning “layer.” Nimbus, which means “cloud,” to name low, gray rain clouds. Nimbostratus (abbrev. NS)- A cloud of the class characterized by a formless layer that is almost uniformly dark gray; a rain cloud of the layer type, of low altitude, usually below 8000 ft (2400 m). () Subsequent studies have refined cloud designations into additional cloud types based on whether the clouds produce precipitation and what shape they attain. Currently, clouds identification has grown and the forms of clouds and subsequent dispensation or non-dispensation of moisture has resulted in the classification of twelve types based on three factors: the altitude at the cloud occurs, the shape of the cloud, and whether the cloud is producing precipitation. Cloud Classifications