North-West Slopes & Plains

Regional Weather

Nullamanna, New South Wales, Australia, 2360

Lat: 29° 36:57 Sth, Long: 151° 11:15 East

640m / 2099ft Above Sea Level

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Cloud Classification Guide

There are ten main cloud types, which are further divided into 27 sub-types according to Height, Shape, Colour, and associated weather.

Clouds are categorised as High (above 6km / 20,000ft), Middle (2.5km / 9,000ft to 5 km / 18,000ft) or Low (from the Earth's surface to 2.5 km).

Their Latin names describe their characteristics, e.g, Cirrus (a hair), Cumulus (a heap), Stratus (a layer) and Nimbus (rain-bearing).

For a more detailed cloud type description, see the listings below

Cloud Type Classification and Variations

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MAIN COMPONENTS

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Latin Name

cumulus
stratus
cirrus
altum
nimbus, nimbo

Translation

heap
layer
curl of hair
height, upper air
rain / rain bearing

Example

fair weather cumulus
altostratus
cirrus
altocumulus
cumulonimbus, nimbostratus

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GENERA

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Latin Name

cirrus
cirrocumulus
cirrostratus
altocumulus
altostratus
nimbostratus
stratocumulus
stratus
cumulus
cumulonimbus

Translation

curl of hair
cirrus and cumulus
cirrus and stratus
altum and cumulus
altum and stratus
nimbus and stratus
stratus and cumulus
layer
heap
cumulus and nimbus

Level in Atmosphere

high
high
high
middle
middle
deep
low
low
deep
deep

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SPECIES

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Latin Name

fibratus
uncinus
spissatus
castelanus
floccus
stratiformis
nebulosus
lenticularis
fractus
humilis
mediocris
congestus

Translation

possessing filaments
hooked
to make thick
castle
tuft of wool
layer appearance
nebulous
lentil
to fracture
near ground, small
to heap up, medium
to bring together

Example

cirrostratus fibratus
cirrus uncinus
cirrus spissatus
altocumulus castelanus
cirrus floccus
altocumulus stratiformis
stratus nebulosus
altocumulus lenticularis
cumulus fractus
cumulus humilis
cumulus mediocris
cumulus congestus

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VARIETIES

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Latin Name

intortus
vertebratus
undulatus
radiatus
lacunosus
duplicatus
translucidus
perlucidus
opacus

Translation

to twist
having vertebrae
having waves
being radiant
having holes
double
transparent
light pass through
shadowy, thick

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SUPPLEMENTARY FEATURES AND ACCESSORY CLOUDS

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Latin Name

incus
mamma
virga
praecipitatio
arcus
tuba
pileus
velum
pannus

Translation

anvil
udder
stick
a fall
bow, arch
trumpet
cap
sail of ship
piece of cloth, shred

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While all possible endeavours are continually made to ensure the information contained within this webpage is as accurate as possible, the author of this website will not vouch for the accuracy of the information contained within this webpage, therefore any information contained within this webpage, should not be used for any professional or commercial purposes.

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