10 types of clouds and what they mean | Weather IQ

We're going back to the basics in this week's Weather IQ by learning about clouds. Everything from the basic types to advance combinations and what they mean.

In school, we all learned about the three basic cloud types: Cirrus, cumulus and stratus. But there are dozens of others that range from common to rare. Did you know clouds are divided into four main designations? Low level, mid-level, upper level and clouds with vertical growth.

Upper Level Clouds:
Cirrus clouds are those wispy clouds you see on a relatively clear day. These are so high in the atmosphere that they are made up of ice crystals. Cirrus literally means curling lock of hair, derived from Latin.

Cirrostratus clouds make the sky look milky. They are easily distinguished because the sun can be seen through them which is not the case at the low to mid levels. These can sometimes mean rain is a day away.

Cirrocumulus clouds live at the same height and can have these ripples and fish scale-like appearance. They are also referred to as a Mackerel Sky. These in the tropics can sometimes mean a tropical storm or hurricane is coming. #WeatherIQ #Weather #clouds

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Thank you. Clear, brief yet thorough, like a primer.
Nice!