The document discusses the four basic cloud types: cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and nimbus. Cirrus clouds are thin and wispy, while stratus clouds are flat and close to the ground. Cumulus clouds are puffy and can develop towers bringing thunderstorms. Nimbus clouds produce rain. The clouds are further classified by height into high, middle, and low-level clouds. Common cloud types are described along with different forms of precipitation.

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CLOUDSCLOUDS
A Brief By Lance Grindley

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The four basic cloud types areThe four basic cloud types are
 cirruscirrus
 stratusstratus
 cumuluscumulus
 nimbusnimbus

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CirrusCirrus comes from the Latin forcomes from the Latin for "thin,""thin,"
"wispy," or "curl of hair.""wispy," or "curl of hair." And that isAnd that is
how cirrus clouds appear from thehow cirrus clouds appear from the
ground. Sometimes they are calledground. Sometimes they are called
mare's tailsmare's tails.. These clouds often tellThese clouds often tell
us that change is on the way. A stormus that change is on the way. A storm
may be approaching, or warmer airmay be approaching, or warmer air
could be knocking on the door.could be knocking on the door.

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StratusStratus comes from the Latin meaningcomes from the Latin meaning
"layer.""layer." These clouds are flat and stayThese clouds are flat and stay
close to the ground.close to the ground.

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CumulusCumulus comes from the Latin forcomes from the Latin for
"puffy.""puffy." Those are the fleecy-lookingThose are the fleecy-looking
clouds that help paint the sky on aclouds that help paint the sky on a
pleasant, quiet day. But these clouds arepleasant, quiet day. But these clouds are
noted for their strong verticalnoted for their strong vertical
development. They can form towers, anddevelopment. They can form towers, and
when they do, watch out. The sky canwhen they do, watch out. The sky can
open up into a violent thunderstorm.open up into a violent thunderstorm.

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NimbusNimbus comes from the Latin for "rain-comes from the Latin for "rain-
bearing." Any cloud that delivers rain is abearing." Any cloud that delivers rain is a
nimbus cloud.nimbus cloud.
"When clouds appear like
rocks and towers,
The earth's refreshed by
frequent showers.
When mountains and cliffs
in the clouds appear,
Some sudden and violent
showers are near."
—G. Herbert

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Cirrus -Cirrus - "thin," "wispy," or "curl of hair""thin," "wispy," or "curl of hair"
Stratus -Stratus - "layer""layer"
Cumulus -Cumulus - "puffy""puffy"
Nimbus -Nimbus - "rain-bearing""rain-bearing"

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Classification of CloudsClassification of Clouds
1.1. High Level Clouds – 6 to 18 kmHigh Level Clouds – 6 to 18 km
Cirrus, Cirrostratus, CirrocumulusCirrus, Cirrostratus, Cirrocumulus
2.2. Middle level Clouds – 2 to 8 kmMiddle level Clouds – 2 to 8 km
Altostratus, AltocumulusAltostratus, Altocumulus
3.3. Low level Clouds – 0 to 2 kmLow level Clouds – 0 to 2 km
Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus,Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus,
Cumulus, CumulonimbusCumulus, Cumulonimbus

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CirrocumulusCirrocumulus
High Level

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CirrostratusCirrostratus
High Level

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CirrusCirrus
High Level

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AltocumulusAltocumulus
Middle Level

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AltostratusAltostratus
Middle Level

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StratusStratus
Low Level

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StratocumulusStratocumulus

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CumulonimbusCumulonimbus

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CumulusCumulus

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Low Level
NimbostratusNimbostratus

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PrecipitationPrecipitation
Rain -Rain - Water condensed from atmospheric vapor andWater condensed from atmospheric vapor and
falling in drops.falling in drops.
Drizzle -Drizzle - To rain gently in fine, mist like drops.To rain gently in fine, mist like drops.
Hail -Hail - Precipitation in the form of spherical or irregularPrecipitation in the form of spherical or irregular
pellets of ice larger than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) inpellets of ice larger than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) in
diameter.diameter.

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PrecipitationPrecipitation
Snow -Snow - Frozen precipitation in the form ofFrozen precipitation in the form of
white or translucent hexagonal icewhite or translucent hexagonal ice
crystals that fall in soft, white flakes.crystals that fall in soft, white flakes.

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PrecipitationPrecipitation
Sleet -Sleet - precipitation of small, partially melted grains ofprecipitation of small, partially melted grains of
ice. As raindrops fall from clouds, they pass throughice. As raindrops fall from clouds, they pass through
layers of air at different temperatures. If they passlayers of air at different temperatures. If they pass
through a layer with a temperature below the freezingthrough a layer with a temperature below the freezing
point, they turn into sleet. Snowflakes that have meltedpoint, they turn into sleet. Snowflakes that have melted
by passing through a warm layer will turn into sleet ifby passing through a warm layer will turn into sleet if
they then pass through a freezing layer. Sleet oftenthey then pass through a freezing layer. Sleet often
falls together with snow and rain, and may deposit anfalls together with snow and rain, and may deposit an
icy coating on exposed surfaces. Sleet occurs onlyicy coating on exposed surfaces. Sleet occurs only
during the winter, whileduring the winter, while

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