Cloud Formations and What They Mean

Nobody out there would need an introduction to clouds, which grab our attention right from the time we learn walking. As kids, we get fascinated by these gigantic formations high in the sky. Over the period, our fascination takes the form of inquisitiveness, and we are left wondering how do these clouds form.

Cloud Formations and Weather Prediction

Basically, clouds are indicators of weather conditions to follow, and being well-versed with the basics of cloud types, formation, etc., can help you predict weather with considerable ease. Given below are the details about the different types of clouds, their formation and what they indicate when it comes to weather forecasting.

High Level Clouds
High level clouds are the ones which occur at an altitude of 18,000 ft or more. The three different types of clouds which fall in this category are cirrus clouds, cirrocumulus clouds and cirrostratus clouds. Cirrus clouds, which are formed in highest region of troposphere where it is extremely cold, are precursors of an approaching storm. Similarly, cirrocumulus clouds indicate unsettled weather and cirrostratus clouds mark the beginning of a warm front. Generally, the formation of these clouds is considered to be a sign of precipitation that is likely to follow within 24 hours.

Medium Level Clouds
Medium level clouds are the two different types of clouds - the altocumulus clouds and the altostratus clouds, which form at an altitude of 6,500-18,000 ft. Both these cloud types are indicators of a stormy weather that is likely to follow. The grayish-white colored altocumulus clouds, which most often tend to appear in the morning, are indicators of violent thunderstorms likely to occur in the afternoon. The grayish-blue altostratus clouds, on the other hand, indicate heavy storm with continuous rain or snowfall.

Low Level Clouds
Low level clouds are the two cloud types - stratocumulus clouds and stratus clouds, which form at an altitude of 6,500 ft or less. Stratocumulus clouds are indicators of intermittent weather. These puffy clouds tend to produce light showers either just before rough weather or when the weather is clearing after heavy precipitation. However, they do have the tendency of turning into nimbostratus clouds, which bring about heavy rains. On the other hand, stratus clouds are often associated with mist and drizzle. The fog that we often see in our surroundings is nothing but stratus clouds that are extended all the way to the surface of the Earth.

Low to Medium Level Clouds
These are the cloud types with their base right near the surface of the Earth and highest point reaching an altitude of 10,000 ft. The two types of clouds which fall in this category are the nimbostratus clouds and cumulus clouds. While the dark gray in color nimbostratus clouds are known to cause heavy rains and snowfall, cumulus clouds appear when the weather is nice and calm. As cumulus clouds are signs of prevailing fair weather, they are also known as fair weather clouds. However, they do have the tendency of turning into gigantic cumulonimbus clouds, notorious for extreme weather conditions.

Vertical Clouds
Basically, there is only one type of vertically developing cloud - the cumulonimbus clouds. These flat topped clouds are quite tall and dense in nature. They generally occur at an altitude ranging between 500-13,000 ft in the Earth's atmosphere. Cumulonimbus clouds are also known as thunderstorm clouds as they are often associated with formation of thunderstorms. Other than thunderstorms, they are also known to indicate heavy rain and formation of tornadoes near the surface of the Earth.

Nature is full of amazing things which are delight to watch as well as understand, and clouds feature at the top in this list. Once you are well-versed with the basics of cloud types and formations, you won't have to rely on weather forecast to decide whether you should carry your rain-wear along when you step out of the house.