SDS Weatherwise Extras: Cloud Photos

This page contains resources to support the Weatherwise unit of the Science Discovery Series Volume 2 curriculum.

Below are some photos of a variety of cloud types which will help with cloud identification and weather forecasting. Cloud photos copyright 2000-2001 by Keith G. Diem. Used by permission.

Click on any image to see a larger version of the same.

High Clouds
Cirrus	Cirrus
Wispy, high altitude clouds made of ice crystals.	Cirrus clouds can indicate the arrival of a warm front. The ice crystals in "cirrostratus" formations are responsible for their "halo" effect around the sun or moon.
Cirrocumulus	Cirrostratus
Large coverage of cirrocumulus creates a true "mackerel" sky, because of its fish-scale look.	Cirrostratus is a thin, translucent layer of high clouds composed of ice crystals. These are the clouds that sometimes form "halos" around the sun or moon.

Middle Clouds

Middle clouds have the prefix "alto" (meaning high) added for naming higher altitude versions of low clouds.
Altocumulus	Altocumulus
Altocumulus are smaller and less puffy than low-altitude cumulus clouds but not as small as cirrocumulus.	These clouds can create a "mackerel" sky.
Altostratus	Altostratus
Unlike high cirrostratus clouds which are made up of ice crystals, midlle-altitude altostratus make the sun look like it is shining through ground glass but without a halo effect.	Thicker versioins of altostratus look like misty layers, resembling thin veils of fog far above the ground.

Towering Clouds
Cumulonimbus	Cumulonimbus (underside)	Mammatus
Towering cumulonimbus extend from low altitude to very high. These are "thunderstorm" clouds and may produce lightning and hail.	This is the view of the bottom portion of a cumulonimbus cloud when it is about to rain. Because of its massive size and towering height, this is often the only view of a cumulonimbus that can be seen at close range.	These often appear on the underside of a cumulonimbus and indicate the possibility of severe weather.

Low Clouds
Cumulus	Cumulus congestus	Cumulus congestus
These are the puffy "fair weather" clouds that have some vertical development (compared to stratus).	Increased vertical development is caused by the rising of warm, moist air. Precipitation is more likely on days when cumulus congestus form before noontime.	As greater vertical development occurs, clouds get thicker and more threatening. Thunderstorms with accompanying severe weather are likely if cumulonimbus clouds form.
Nimbostratus	Stratocumulus	Stratocumulus
Swollen with moisture, these are the clouds you will likely see when rain is about to come down.	These clouds don't generally have enough moisture to cause rain.	At dusk, the light reflects to make a beautiful sunset.
Stratus	Stratus
Stratus is gray and appears flat, layered, or sheetlike...with no vertical development (puffiness). They don't give off much rain; more likely mist or drizzle.	When a stratus cloud is at ground level, it is called fog.


	Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Last modified 16 August, 2005, webmaster@rce.rutgers.edu.