clouds over sagebrush desert with the word clouds in bottom left corner

A castle. A dragon. A racecar. An alligator.

We have all spent time staring up into the sky making images from the clouds we see.

Clouds are a source of endless fascination for both the scientist, and the casual observer.

Since there is so much information surrounding clouds, their development, and behavior, this website serves only as an introduction to the basic cloud types.

Clouds are a formation of tiny, visible water droplets, or ice crystals suspended in the air. To learn more about how clouds form look at some of the links on the resources page.

Below you will find a chart of the ten basic cloud types. Click on any of the images to learn more about each cloud type, or click on any of the cloud links at the top of the page.

 cumulus clouds in the sky

There are four major cloud groups under which the ten basic cloud types fall. They are low, middle, and high clouds, and clouds with vertical development.

Low Clouds

Stratus

stratus clouds

photo credit: Sara Martin

Stratocumulus

stratocumulus clouds

Nimbostratus

nimbostratus clouds

Middle Clouds

Altostratus

altostratus clouds

Altocumulus

altocumulus clouds

High Clouds

Cirrus

cirrus clouds

photo credit: H. Michael Mogil

Cirrostratus

cirrostratus clouds with a halo around the sun

photo credit: http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~jrosko

Cirrocumulus

cirrocumulus clouds

Clouds with Vertical Development

Cumulus

cumulus clouds over park

Swelling Cumulus or Cumulus Congestus

swelling cumulus or cumulus congestus clouds

Cumulonimbus

cumulonimbus cloud or anvil top cloud

Ten reasons to look up

from The Book of Clouds by John A. Day

1. Clouds and cloudscapes are the greatest free show on earth. It doesn't cost a penny to look up and feast your eyes on the view.

2. Clouds are never exactly the same. They come and go and take on different forms. While there are four basic cloud types (cumulus, stratus, cirrus,

and nimbus), nature combines them to compose endless symphonies in the sky.

3. Many skies are simply beautiful to behold. There is no other way of saying it. The gradations of light and color in the late afternoon and very early

morning hours are bouquets for the eye.

4. Clouds are a billboard of Coming Attractions. While it takes a skilled eye to interpret the messages on the billboard, there is a feeling of immense

satisfaction when one's own forecast is verified.

5. Observing the sky at regular intervals makes one feel connected to nature.

6. Cloud watching promotes a global consciousness. Weather satellites bring large-scale images of cloud patterns in our homes. They help us realize

that "our" clouds are connected to other clouds all around the world.

7. The earth is unique because of its vast amounts of water. Clouds are made of water and are a constant reminder of its importance.

8. Water is a miracle substance. Scientists have found that simple H2O is anything but simple. Those H2O molecules link together and bring us the

glorious clouds above us. Without water, there would be no clouds.

9. Cloud watching is an antidote to boredom. Clouds are ever changing, ever evocative.

10. Clouds are a magic show. Where do they come from, and where do they go? This is a mystery to the nonscientist, and an area of endless

fascination.