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Cloud: visible collection of tiny water droplets or ice particles or both,
suspended in air above Earth. Have same composition of fog but suspended higher
in air.
Cirro - high clouds, base starting above 6000 m
Alto - middle elevation clouds, base between 2000 to 6000 m
Stato - below 2000 m
 | Clouds
are classified by shape and altitude
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| Shape
depends largely on how the cloud was formed.
|
| Most
common clouds are stratus, cumulus, and cirrus.
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Cirrostratus:
| High
clouds that look like fine veils
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| Made
of ice crystals - to form halos around moon or sun
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| Usually
indicate fair weather
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| May
also signal approaching storm
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Cirrus:
| White,
thin, fibrous, wispy clouds
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| Form
in small patches, bands, or streaks
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| Usually
found above 20000 feet
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| Composed
entirely of ice crystals because of low temperature
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Cumulonimbus:
| Produce
lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and tornadoes
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| Tallest
of all clouds
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| Extend
above 60000 feet
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| Usually
large anvil shape tops because of stronger winds at those levels of
atmosphere
|
| Sometimes
have appendages protruding from base of cloud - mammatus - resembles
mammary glands of mammals
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| Indication
of severe weather
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| Indicates
atmosphere is unstable
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Cirrocumulus:
| 10000
to 30000 feet high
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| Thin
ice crystal clouds
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| Look
like fine sand ripples made by waves on a beach
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| "Mackeral
sky" used to describe these clouds
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Alto-cumulus:
| Cauliflower
shaped
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| Has
thin edges
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| Elevation
of 6,500 to 20,000 feet
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| White
or gray in color
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Alto-stratus:
| Form
gray or hazel sheets
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| Elevation
of 6,500 to 20,000feet
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| Sometimes
thin sometimes thick
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Strato-cumulus:
| Low
gray flat clouds
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| Form
in wide spread layers
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| Rain,
sleet, snow and hail can come from these clouds
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| Often
seen with fair blue skies
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Nimbus:
| Gray
rain cloud
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| No
sun light can shine through this cloud
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Nimbostratus
| Usually
bring long, steady rain
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| One
of the lowest clouds
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| Usually
dark colored
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| Sometimes
combine with cumulonimbus
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| Considered
multi-layered
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Cumulus:
| One
of most common clouds
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| Puffy
with noticeable edges much like a cotton ball
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| Popcorn-like
shape
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| Indicate
that sunny skies are coming
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Stratus:
| The
lowest clouds
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| Faded
edges
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| Dull,
gray and cover most of the sky
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| Indicate
that clear skies are coming
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