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Cloud Types

Michelle Kasun

Created on April 14, 2026

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Transcript

Cloud Types

And What They Tell Us About Weather

Get Started

Next

What causes clouds to look different?

  • Different heights in the atmosphere
  • Different temperatures
  • Different amounts of moisture

Next

How Are Clouds Grouped?

  • Height in the Atmosphere
    • High (above 20,000 ft)
    • Middle (6,500 - 20,000 ft) (Alto)
    • Low (below 6,500 ft)
  • Shape
    • Cumulus (Puffy)
    • Stratus (Flat)
    • Cirrus (Wispy)
These differences help us predict the weather.

Low Altitude Clouds

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Stratus

  • Appearance
    • Flat
    • Gray
    • Covers the sky like a blanket
  • Made of
    • Water droplets
  • Weather
    • Light rain or drizzle
    • Cloudy skies

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Nimbostratus

  • Appearance
    • Thick
    • Dark
    • Covers the sky like a blanket
  • Made of
    • Water droplets
    • Sometimes ice particles
  • Weather
    • Steady rain or snow

Next

Cumulus

  • Appearance
    • Puffy
    • White
    • Cotton-like
  • Made of
    • Water droplets
  • Weather
    • Fair weather
    • Can grow into storms

Next

Cumulonimbus

  • Appearance
    • Tall
    • Dark
    • Towering with an anvil shape at the top
  • Made of
    • Water droplets (lower altitudes)
    • Ice crystals (higher altitudes)
  • Weather
    • Thunderstorms
    • Heavy Rain
    • Lightning
    • Possible hail or tornadoes

Next

Middle Altitude Clouds

Next

Altostratus

  • Appearance
    • Gray or blue-gray
    • Covers the sky like a blanket
  • Made of
    • Water droplets
    • Sometimes ice crystals
  • Weather
    • Light rain or snow
    • Overcast conditions

Next

Altocumulus

  • Appearance
    • Small, puffy clouds
    • Often in rows or patches
  • Made of
    • Mostly water droplets
    • Sometimes ice crystals
  • Weather
    • Fair weather
    • Can signal storms later

Next

High Altitude Clouds

Next

Cirrus

  • Appearance
    • Thin
    • Whispy
    • Feather-like
  • Made of
    • Ice crystals
  • Weather
    • Fair weather
    • Can signal weather is about to change

Next

Cirrostratus

  • Appearance
    • Thin, milky layer
    • Covers most of the sky
  • Made of
    • Ice crystals
  • Weather
    • Can indicate rain or snow is coming soon

Next

Cirrocumulus

  • Appearance
    • White, patchy, or rippled clouds
    • Covers most of the sky
  • Made of
    • Ice crystals
  • Weather
    • Can indicate rain or snow is coming soon