Not Just White, These Are The Amazing Types Of Clouds

YOGYAKARTA - There are still many people who only see clouds as soft sky decorations, even though the types of clouds have an important role in Earth's weather cycle. Each form stores clues about what will happen next.

You may be surprised to learn that these white clumps are divided into ten basic categories. For that, let's explore and understand the classification of clouds based on their unique heights and visual appearances.

Reporting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration page, cloud classification begins with Luke Howard, a meteorologist who realizes that clouds often show a combination of features from two or more categories (for example, cirrus + stratus or cumulus + stratus).

Based on Howard's observations, he suggested modifications or combinations of the four types of core clouds, which then became the starting point for the ten basic types of clouds we can observe at this time.

Therefore, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) through the International Cloud Atlas established ten basic types of these clouds, which are divided by height:

Clouds at high levels (above 6,000 meters) consist of Circrus (Ci), Cirrocumulus (Cc), and Cirrostratus (Cs). These clouds are generally thin, white, and always made of ice crystals.

Having separated cloud characteristics in the form of smooth white filaments, often looks like hair (fibrous) or has shiny like silk.

Meanwhile, the weather prediction barely reduces the brightness of the sun. Often yellow or bright red at sunrise or sunset.

The characteristics are white coatings or thin sheets, arranged somewhat regularly into small grains or ripples without a shadow. The size of this element looks less than the width of one finger when stretched. The composition is made of ice crystals and the life is short.

Having characteristics with a very wide whiteish transparent envelope with a fibered or smooth look, can cover the whole sky.

This cloud has a distinctive phenomenon, which almost always produces a halo phenomenon (light ring) around the Sun or the Moon. This tube is not thick enough to prevent the image of an object in the ground.

Medium-level clouds (between 2,000 to 6,000 meters) consist of Altocumulus (Ac), Altostrateus (As), and Nimbostrateus (Ns). They mainly consist of droplets of water, but can contain ice crystals if the temperature is low enough, here is the discussion:

The characteristics are stratified or white or gray clouds, often composed of round masses or rolls. The size of the element looks bigger than one finger but is smaller than three fingers when stretched.

These clouds have a distinctive phenomenon, namely when passing through the Sun or the Moon, the corona (colored ring) often appears. This is the most common type of medium-level cloud.

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It has the characteristics of a gray or bluish layer or sheet that covers part or the entire sky.

In addition, these clouds are also thin enough to show the sun (as seen through opaque glass) and do not produce halos or shadows. Sometimes it looks vira (rain lines that do not reach the ground).

The characteristics are a layer of dark gray clouds that are evenly distributed, runaway due to rain or falling snow. In addition, the clouds are also thick enough to cover the Sun completely.

These clouds are also often called low-level clouds because their bases can fall as the rain continues, but are technically classified as intermediate levels due to their origins.

Referred to as low clouds (under 2,000 meters) it consists of Stratus (St), Stratocumulus (Sc), and Cumulus (Cu). Cumulonimbus (Cb) is classified as a vertical cloud because it can be elongated to high levels.

These clouds have a densely separated feature, developing vertically resembling mounds, domes, or towers with the top rising resembling cauliflower.

Meanwhile, the sun's rays will be bright white while the base is relatively dark and horizontal. It develops in the morning and often late at night.

It has the characteristics of a layered cloud or gray or whiteish line that almost always has a dark pattern resembling a honeycomb appearance, round mass, or rolls.

These clouds are large, dense storm clouds, shaped like mountains or large towers. The top is often flat and fibered, resembling a foundation (anvil).

In addition, the base of the clouds is often very dark and produces heavy precipitation (rain or snow). Cumulonimbus can also produce hail and tornadoes.

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