Different clouds (Stratocumulus, cumulonimbus, cumulus etc?

Question

What do the names mean , what is the particular cloud like (vapour (hail (snow etc

Answer 1

First, let’s talk a little about clouds. There are 2 general types of clouds below 20,000ft, Cumulus and Stratus.

Stratus is a blanket type of cloud. It’s that type that blocks out the sun if you ever experienced what I mean. This type of cloud forms in stable air and usually means a smooth ride. But icing is common in this layer.

Cumulus are the cotton wool type of clouds. The reason for there shape is because they are formed in unstable air that is always trying to rise higher. If cumulus continue to gain moisture they can become cumulonimbus, a towering grey type of cloud. Both cumulus and cumulonimbus can present some turbulence. If the cloud is still in the cumulus form, this is quite light, but if it is on the cumulonimbus form it can be severe. These types of clouds can also produce lightning and heavy rain. And as glider pilots will tell you, these clouds have strong updrafts. If a cumulonimbus keep growing, it can eventually turn into a thunderstorm.

Now we move up to the mid level clouds, between 6,500ft and 20,000ft. ( Not much to say here for me)

The clouds are basically the same as in the low level, but the add “Alto”. Example, altocumulus. Alto is greek for high if you're wondering the orogin.

The high level clouds, above 20,000ft are usually cirrus and usually mean plain sailing.

Then there are also lenticular clouds. I’ve never actually seen one myself, but they are lens like in shape. These types of clouds are almost always avoided by pilots since they mean a bumpy ride. These are sometimes mistaken for UFO's. Try a search for some photos, see why.

EDIT: A few pictures

Stratus-http://www.flickr.com/photos/47901510@N00/471048693/

Cumulus- http://www.gfy.ku.dk/~flyvholm/New_Mexico_04_17_04/pages/Big%20cumulus%20start.htm

Cumulonimbus-http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoserenity333/320663810/

Answer 2

And the all dangerious Granite Cumulus cloud that keeps you from seeing the mountain your about to fly into. Cirius coulds are ligh whispy thin layer high altitude ice cloulds. Stratius are lower ice and water vapor cloulds. Cumulus clouds are puffy rounded cloulds that can build into thunder storms with violent updrafts. That is where your other terms come from Nimbus Middle layer Stato high layer and regular low level Cumulus.

Answer 3

The 4 substantial cloud communities are stratus(blanket like clouds), cirrus (wispy clouds), nimbus (hurricane clouds), and cumulus (poofy clouds). you additionally can combine their names to greater accurately describe the clouds (i.e. strato-nimbus, strato cumulus and so forth.) desire this facilitates!