CLOUD   CLASSIFICATION

FORMATION - Classifications
1) Rising Air Currents - Cumulus
2)  Air Cooled below Saturation without vertical movement  - Stratus
ALTITUDE - Classifications
HIGH - 20,00'+
Cirrus - Thin, Wispy, Ice Crystals, Form above 25,00'
Cirrocumulus - Thin, Patchy, Wave Pattern, Mackerel Sky, Uncommon, Form at 20,000-25,000'
Cirrostratus - Patchy Fine Veil, Form Sun & Moon Halos, Form at 20,000-25,000'
MIDDLE - 10,000'
Altostratus - Dense, Grey, Water-Vapor, Moon shines through (translucent)
Altocumulus - Patchy, Puffy Layers, Grey-White, Water-Vapor
LOW - below 6,500'
Stratus - Low, Uniform Sheet, Grey, Base Above Ground, Produce Drizzle, No Verticle Movement
Nimbostratus - Dark. Thick, Rain Clouds
Stratocumulus - Irregular, Puffy Layered, Grey, Don't Produce Rain
TOWERING
Cumulonimbus - Tops to 80,000', Thunderheads, Violent Up-Drafts Produce Lightning & Tornadoes
Cumulus - Puffy, White, Form in Day, Disappear at Nite
DEFINITIONS
Alto - Prefix, High
Cumulus - Piled-Up, Accumulated
Fracto - Prefix, Fragmented, Wind-Blown
Nimbus - Rain
Stratus - Layered