Altocumulus clouds
Altocumulus clouds are mid level clouds that
are made of water droplets and appear as
gray puffy masses. They usually form in
groups. If you see altocumulus clouds on a
warm, sticky morning, be prepared to see
thunderstorms late in the afternoon.
Stratus clouds
Stratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that
often cover the entire sky. They resemble fog
that doesn't reach the ground. Light mist or
drizzle sometimes falls out of these clouds.
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Stratocumulus clouds
Stratocumulus clouds are low, puffy and
gray. Most form in rows with blue sky
visible in between them. Rain rarely occurs
with stratocumulus clouds, however, they
can turn into nimbostratus clouds.
Nimbostratus clouds
Nimbostratus clouds form a dark gray, wet looking
cloudy layer associated with continuously falling rain or
snow. They often produce precipitation that is usually
light to moderate.
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Cumulus clouds
Cumulus clouds are white, puffy clouds that look like
pieces of floating cotton. Cumulus clouds are often
called "fair-weather clouds". The base of each cloud
is flat and the top of each cloud has rounded towers.
When the top of the cumulus clouds resemble the
head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congest us
or towering cumulus. These clouds grow upward and
they can develop into giant cumulonimbus clouds,
which are thunderstorm clouds.
Cumulonimbus clouds
Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds.
High winds can flatten the top of the cloud
into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus clouds
are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail,
lightning and even tornadoes. The anvil usually
points in the direction the storm is moving.