Classifying Clouds

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Classifying Clouds by Mind Map: Classifying Clouds

1. Stratus

1.1. Stratus

1.1.1. Height

1.1.1.1. Below 6,000ft

1.1.2. Weather Map Symbol

1.1.3. Description

1.1.3.1. Horizontal layering of clouds that looks like a fog.

1.1.4. Formation

1.1.4.1. Formed by cool air that comes together in layers.

1.1.5. Picture

1.1.5.1. Image of a stratus cloud

1.2. Stratocumulus

1.2.1. Height

1.2.1.1. Below 8,000ft

1.2.2. Weather Map Symbol

1.2.3. Description

1.2.3.1. Large, dark and rounded masses.

1.2.4. Formation

1.2.4.1. Formed over water and gradually diverge as they come overland.

1.2.5. Picture

1.2.5.1. An image of a stratocumulus cloud

1.3. Nimbostratus

1.3.1. Height

1.3.1.1. Below 8,000ft

1.3.2. Weather Map Symbol

1.3.3. Description

1.3.3.1. Flat and dark grey, usually brings rain.

1.3.4. Formation

1.3.4.1. Develops above 6,500ft

1.3.5. Picture

1.3.5.1. Image of an Nimbostratus cloud

2. Vertical Growth Clouds

2.1. Cumulus

2.1.1. Height

2.1.1.1. Base below 6,500ft and tops may vary.

2.1.2. Weather Map Symbol

2.1.3. Description

2.1.3.1. Has a clear vertical development and is often described as puffy.

2.1.4. Formation

2.1.4.1. Forms when hot air rises and cools

2.1.5. Picture

2.1.5.1. An image of a cumulus cloud

2.2. Cumulonimbus

2.2.1. Height

2.2.1.1. 6,500 to 75,000ft

2.2.2. Weather Map Symbol

2.2.3. Description

2.2.3.1. Cumulonimbus clouds are extremely tall, dense and are signs of thunderstorms.

2.2.4. Formation

2.2.4.1. They are formed by atmospheric instability and along cold fronts.

2.2.5. Picture

2.2.5.1. Image of a cumulonimbus

3. Alto (Mid Level Clouds)

3.1. Altostratus

3.1.1. Height

3.1.1.1. 8-20,000ft

3.1.2. Weather Map Symbol

3.1.3. Description

3.1.3.1. Occurs in sheets or layers, carries precipitation.

3.1.4. Formation

3.1.4.1. Forms ahead of storms and is created by weather fronts.

3.1.5. Picture

3.1.5.1. Image of Altostratus Cloud

3.2. Altocumulus

3.2.1. Height

3.2.1.1. 8-20,000ft

3.2.2. Weather Map Symbol

3.2.3. Description

3.2.3.1. White or grey, is in sheets or patches.

3.2.4. Formation

3.2.4.1. Altocumulus clouds are often seen proceeding a cold front and when see on hot days may be a sign that a thunderstorm is on the way.

3.2.5. Picture

3.2.5.1. Image of an Altocumulus

4. Cirrus

4.1. Cirrus

4.1.1. Height

4.1.1.1. Above 23,000ft

4.1.2. Weather Map Symbol

4.1.3. Description

4.1.3.1. Thin and whispy.

4.1.4. Formation

4.1.4.1. They are the first sign of a warm front.

4.1.5. Picture

4.1.5.1. Image of a cirrus cloud

4.2. Cirrostratus

4.2.1. Height

4.2.1.1. Above 20,000ft

4.2.2. Weather Map symbol

4.2.3. Description

4.2.3.1. Difficult to see but are white, cover large portions of the sky.

4.2.4. Formation

4.2.4.1. Formed by large precipitation high in the sky and may signal a warm front.

4.2.5. Picture

4.2.5.1. An image of a cirrostratus

4.3. Cirrocumulus

4.3.1. Height

4.3.1.1. Above 20,000ft

4.3.2. Weather Map Symbol

4.3.3. Description

4.3.3.1. A small grey or white patch

4.3.4. Formation

4.3.4.1. Occurs at high altitudes

4.3.5. Picture

4.3.5.1. Image of a cirrocumulus cloud