Cloud types are divided into four families
High Clouds
Middle Clouds
Low Clouds
Clouds with extensive vertical development
High, middle, and low clouds are also classified according to the way they are formed.
The high cloud family is cirriform and includes cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus.
They are composed almost entirely of ice crystals.
Clouds formed by vertical currents in unstable air are cumulus.
They are characterized by their lumpy appearance.
Clouds formed by the cooling of a stable layer are stratus, meaning stratified or layered.
They are charactirized by their uniform sheet-like appearance.
Nimbo or Nimbus means raincloud.
A heavy swelling cumulus type cloud which produces precipitation is cumulonimbus.
The high cloud family is cirriform and composed almost entirely of ice crystals.
Lenticular clouds are associated with a mountain wave.
Crests of standing waves may be marked by stationary lens-shaped clouds known as standing lenticular clouds.