Cloud species

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Cloud species are a set of fourteen terms used to describe the shape and structure of clouds. Each one has its name abbreviated to a three letter term. [1] [2] [3]

Cumulus congestus clouds in the foreground. Cumulus congestus and cumulonimbus calvus.jpg
Cumulus congestus clouds in the foreground.
SpeciesAbbreviationDescriptionGenera
Calvus calTops of clouds lose hard, rough appearance and become smooth Cb
CapillatuscapTops of clouds become distinctly fibrous or striated. Cirrus clouds are often in appearanceCb
CastellanuscasDistinct turrets rising from a large base or line of cloud Sc, Ac, Cc
CongestusconGreat vertical height much larger than the base, shows vigorous growth with cauliflower like tops Cu
FibratusfibFibrous appearance, with straight or uniform curves and no distinct hooksCi, Cs
FloccusfloIndividual tufts of clouds with ragged bases and often with noticeable virga Ac, Cc, Ci
Fractus fraBroken cloud with ragged bases and edgesCu, St
HumilishumCloud with limited vertical height with a length much bigger than their heightCu
LenticularislenLens or almond shaped clouds that are stationary in the skySc, Ac, Cc
MediocrismedClouds of moderate height that are around equal height and length, growing upwardsCu
NebulosusnebFeatureless sheet of cloud with no structureSt, Cs
SpissatusspiDense cloud appearing lighter shade of grey when viewed toward the sunCi
StratiformisstrCloud in an extensive sheet or layerSc, Ac, Cc
UncinusuncDistinctly hooked usually without a visible headCi

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Cirrus castellanus cloud

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Cirrus fibratus Type of cloud

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Cirrocumulus castellanus

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Cirrocumulus lacunosus

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Cirrostratus fibratus

Cirrostratus fibratus or also called Cirrostratus filosus is a type of cirrostratus cloud. The name cirrostratus fibratus is derived from Latin, meaning "fibrous". Cirrostratus fibratus is one of the two most common forms that cirrostratus often takes, with the other being cirrostratus nebulosus. They are formed from strong, continuous winds blowing at high altitudes, and they often cover a large portion of the sky. Cirrostratus fibratus may often develop from either cirrus fibratus or cirrus spissatus cloud. Precipitation is often imminent behind these clouds; however, they are not a precipitation-producing cloud.

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Stratocumulus castellanus cloud Mid-level cloud that indicates unstable air

Stratocumulus castellanus or Stratocumulus castellatus is a type of stratocumulus cloud, castellanus is derived from Latin, meaning 'of a castle' This type of cloud appears as cumuliform turrets vertically rising from a common horizontal cloud base, these turrets are taller than they are wide

Stratus silvagenitus

Stratus silvagenitus is a type of stratus cloud, silvagenitus is derived from Latin, meaning "created from forest", this cloud type, as the name implies, forms in forested areas which are experiencing high relative humidity levels, for example, after precipitation has passed, their formation is attributed to evaporation and/or evapotranspiration in forests; if the cloud is uniform, its a stratus silvagenitus cloud, if the cloud is ragged and wispy, then it would be a stratus fractus silvagenitus, these clouds typically form near the ground. the silvagenitus cloud variety only appears in stratus clouds

References

  1. " "Weather Facts: Accessory clouds | weatheronline.co.uk".
  2. https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/abbr-and-symbols-of-clouds-table-genera-species.html
  3. https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/cloud-classification-summary.html

See also