View source for Clouds

== Classification of Clouds ==
*<span id="cumulus">Cumulus clouds</span> - form in rising air currents and which relate to unstable air.
*<span id="stratus">Stratus clouds</span> - form in horizontal layers as moist air is cooled below its saturation point.
*Nimbus clouds - clouds which precipitation falls from.

=== High Clouds ===
Cloud bases from 16 500' to 45 000' mostly composed of ice crystals.
*Cirrus (Ci) - very high, with thin wavy sprays of white cloud.
*Cirrocumulus (Cc) - Thin, cotton or flake like.
*Cirrostratus (Cs) - Very thin, high clouds that the sun or moon are visable through sometimes though of as a halo effect.  Usually associated with an approaching warm front or occlusion meaning bad weather coming.

=== Middle Clouds ===
Cloud bases from 6 500' to 23 000' mostly composed of ice crystals or water droplets.
*Altocumulus (Ac) - Layer of patches of rounded masses of cloud.
*Altocumulus Castellanus (Acc) - Indicates instability, turbulence and shower activity.  Can develop into cumulonimbus.
*Altostratus (As) - Thick veil of grey cloud covering the whole sky indicates the approach of a warm front and some light rain or snow.  [[Icing]] is also a danger in this cloud.

=== Low Clouds ===
Cloud bases from surface to 6 500' and are composed of water droplets which may be supercooled.
*Stratus (St) - Cloud resembling [[fog]] but not resting on the ground.  Drizzle is often present.
*Stratocumulus (Sc) - layer of patches of rounded masses.  Found in high pressure areas in the winter with some precipitation.
*Nimbostratus (Ns) - Low layer of uniform dark grey cloud which can be more than 15 000' thick.  Precipitation falls in the form of continuous rain or snow.

=== Clouds of Vertical Development ===
Cloud bases from as low as 1 500' composed of water droplets or ice crystals.
*Cumulus (Cu) - Thick rounded and lumpy with flat bases and rounded tops.  Flight under these clouds is usually full of turbulence.
*Towering Cumulus (TCu) - Cumulus clouds formed into towering masses.  Turbulence will be found under this cloud as well as heavy [[icing]] inside.
*Cumulonimbus (Cb) - Heavy masses of cumulus clouds with an anvil shaped summit meaning thunderstorms.  Stay out of these clouds as violent vertical currents and hail exist inside.  A line of cumulonimbus means cold front.

[[Category: Weather]]