Clouds are classified by altitude and shape: cirrus (high, wispy), cumulus (puffy), stratus (layered), nimbus (rain-bearing).
basicWhat is Cloud Types?
The WMO recognises 10 cloud genera. High clouds (above 6 km): cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus. Mid-level (2-6 km): altostratus, altocumulus. Low (below 2 km): stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus. Vertically developed: cumulus, cumulonimbus. In tropical Southeast Asia, cumulonimbus (Cb) is the most important — it produces the thunderstorms that are the primary form of daily rainfall during the monsoon.
Key points
- Clouds are classified by altitude and shape: cirrus (high, wispy), cumulus (puffy), stratus (layered), nimbus (rain-bearing).
- Category: basic
Related terms
See also: clouds is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.