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Cloud Type Identifier & Quiz – Online Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus

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Cloud Type Identifier & Quiz

Learn to identify Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, and all 10 major cloud types — then test your knowledge!

The 10 Major Cloud Types

Classified by altitude and form — according to the World Meteorological Organization

High Clouds (16,500 – 45,000 ft / 5–13 km)
Cirrus
"Lock of hair"
High
Thin, wispy, feather-like strands
Pure white, no shading
Often first sign of approaching warm front
Made of ice crystals

Weather: Fair but may indicate change within 24 hours

Cirrocumulus
"Curl + heap"
High
Small white flakes / ripples
White, no shadows
"Mackerel sky" pattern
Ice crystals, supercooled water

Weather: Usually fair, cold conditions

Cirrostratus
"Curl + layer"
High
Transparent, veil-like sheet
Whitish, covers whole sky
Creates halo around sun/moon
Signals rain or snow within 12–24 hrs

Weather: Precipitation likely approaching

Mid Clouds (6,500 – 23,000 ft / 2–7 km)
Altocumulus
"High heap"
Mid
White/gray patches, rounded masses
Some shading, parallel bands
"Sheep back" appearance
Water droplets

Weather: Thunderstorms possible if seen on humid morning

Altostratus
"High layer"
Mid
Gray/blue-gray uniform sheet
Sun visible as through frosted glass
No halo, no shadows on ground
Mixed water/ice

Weather: Continuous light rain or snow possible

Low Clouds (Surface – 6,500 ft / 0–2 km)
Stratus
"Layer / spread out"
Low
Flat, featureless gray layer
Uniform gray, like high fog
May touch ground as fog
Water droplets

Weather: Drizzle or light mist possible

Cumulus
"Heap / pile"
Low
Puffy cotton-ball appearance
Flat base, white top, some gray
Detached, dense, sharp outlines
Develops vertically on sunny days

Weather: Fair weather unless growing tall

Stratocumulus
"Layer + heap"
Low
Lumpy, rounded masses in groups
Gray with darker patches
Often in rows or patches
Water droplets

Weather: Light precipitation rare; generally dry

Nimbostratus
"Rain + layer"
Low
Thick, dark gray, sun obscured
Deep gray, heavy and wet-looking
Produces steady rain/snow
Water droplets + raindrops

Weather: Continuous precipitation, low visibility

Vertical Development Clouds
Cumulonimbus
"Heap + rain"
Vertical
Towering, anvil-shaped top
Dark base, white upper portions
Thunderstorm cloud
Can reach 60,000+ ft

Weather: Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes possible

Quick Reference: Cloud Types at a Glance
CloudAltitudeAppearancePrecipitation
CirrusHighWispy, featheryNone
CirrocumulusHighSmall ripples, "mackerel sky"None
CirrostratusHighThin veil, halo effectNone (signals coming rain)
AltocumulusMidRounded patches, "sheep back"Rare
AltostratusMidUniform gray sheetLight rain/snow
StratusLowFlat gray blanketDrizzle
CumulusLowPuffy, flat baseNone (fair weather)
StratocumulusLowLumpy patches, rowsLight drizzle rare
NimbostratusLowDark, thick, sun hiddenSteady rain/snow
CumulonimbusVerticalTowering, anvil topHeavy, thunderstorms
Ready to Test Your Cloud Knowledge?

10 questions — identify cloud types from detailed descriptions.

You'll get instant feedback after each answer.

Cloud Altitude Chart
45,000 ft
13.7 km Cirrus
Cirrostratus 16,500 ft
5 km Altocumulus
Altostratus 6,500 ft
2 km Stratus · Cumulus
Stratocumulus Nimbostratus
(low base) Cumulonimbus
60,000+ ft
High Clouds Mid Clouds Low Clouds Vertical

Note: Altitudes vary by latitude and season. In polar regions, cloud levels are generally lower.

Did you know? A single cumulonimbus cloud can hold over 500,000 tons of water!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 main types of clouds?
The 10 main cloud types (genera) are: Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus (high clouds); Altocumulus, Altostratus (mid clouds); Stratus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus (low clouds); and Cumulonimbus (vertical development). These are classified by the World Meteorological Organization based on altitude, shape, and composition.
How do I identify different cloud types?
To identify clouds, observe three key features: altitude (high, mid, or low), shape (wispy, puffy, layered, or towering), and color (white, gray, or dark). Also note whether the cloud produces precipitation or creates optical effects like halos. Use our Cloud Guide tab above to compare your observations with the 10 major types.
What type of cloud produces rain?
Nimbostratus clouds produce steady, continuous rain or snow. Cumulonimbus clouds produce heavy showers, thunderstorms, and sometimes hail. The prefix "nimbo-" or suffix "-nimbus" (Latin for "rain") indicates a precipitating cloud. Stratus clouds may produce light drizzle, while most other cloud types do not produce significant precipitation.
What's the difference between cumulus and stratus clouds?
Cumulus clouds are puffy, detached, and have a flat base with a cotton-like top — they indicate fair weather when small. Stratus clouds form a uniform gray blanket covering the sky, often bringing drizzle. Cumulus develops vertically from rising warm air (convection), while stratus forms horizontally when a large air mass cools.
How are clouds classified by altitude?
Clouds are grouped into four altitude families: High clouds (16,500–45,000 ft) — Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus; Mid clouds (6,500–23,000 ft) — Altocumulus, Altostratus; Low clouds (surface–6,500 ft) — Stratus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus; and Vertical clouds that span multiple levels — Cumulonimbus. In polar regions, high clouds may occur as low as 10,000 ft.
What do cirrus clouds indicate about upcoming weather?
Cirrus clouds are often the first visible sign of an approaching warm front. If cirrus thickens into cirrostratus (creating a halo) and then altostratus, rain or snow typically follows within 12–24 hours. Isolated cirrus in a blue sky usually means fair weather will continue for at least the next day.
Which clouds are associated with thunderstorms?
Cumulonimbus clouds are the thunderstorm clouds. They develop from cumulus clouds that grow vertically, eventually forming an anvil-shaped top that can reach 60,000+ feet. These clouds produce lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and occasionally tornadoes. Altocumulus clouds on a humid morning can signal potential afternoon thunderstorms.
Can you identify clouds by their shape alone?
Shape is a major clue but not always definitive. Wispy/feathery = cirrus types; puffy/cotton-like = cumulus types; flat/layered = stratus types; towering/anvil = cumulonimbus. However, some clouds (like stratocumulus) combine features. For accurate identification, also consider altitude, color, whether the sun is visible, and if precipitation is occurring.
What are the warning signs of severe weather in clouds?
Watch for: rapidly growing cumulus that becomes cumulonimbus; a greenish tint to clouds (indicates hail); rotating wall clouds beneath a cumulonimbus (possible tornado); shelf clouds at the leading edge of a storm; and mammatus clouds (rounded pouches) hanging beneath a thunderstorm anvil — all signs of severe weather potential.
What is a "mackerel sky" and what does it mean?
A "mackerel sky" refers to a pattern of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds that resemble fish scales. It typically indicates moisture at mid-to-high levels. The old saying "Mackerel sky, not 24 hours dry" suggests rain may follow, especially if the clouds are altocumulus. Cirrocumulus mackerel skies are often associated with fair but changing weather.
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