page_title: List of cloud types
section_title: Cloud identification and classification in the troposphere
hierarchical_section_title: List of cloud types / Cloud identification and classification in the troposphere
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Schematische Darstellung der Wolkenstockwerke. English: STypes of clouds Slovenščina: SRazlične vrste oblakov Ci - cirrus Cs - cirrostratus Cc - cirrocumulus As - altostratus Ac - altocumulus Ns - nimbostratus Cb - cumulonimbus Cu - cumulus Sc - stratocumulus St - stratus
context_page_description: The list of cloud types groups the main genera as high, middle, multi-level, and low according to the altitude level or levels at which each cloud is normally found. Small cumulus are commonly grouped with the low clouds because they do not show significant vertical extent. Of the multi-level genus-types, those with the greatest convective activity are often grouped separately as towering vertical. The genus types all have Latin names.
  The genera are also grouped into five physical forms. These are, in approximate ascending order of instability or convective activity: stratiform sheets; cirriform wisps and patches; stratocumuliform patches, rolls, and ripples; cumuliform heaps, and cumulonimbiform towers that often have complex structures. Most genera are divided into species with Latin names, some of which are common to more than one genus. Most genera and species can be subdivided into varieties, also with Latin names, some of which are common to more than one genus or species.
context_section_description: Tropospheric clouds are divided into physical forms defined by structure, and levels defined by altitude range.  These divisions are cross-classified to produce ten basic genus-types. They have Latin names as authorized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) that indicate physical structure, altitude or étage, and process of formation
caption: Major tropospheric cloud types identified using standard two-letter abbreviations
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