Clouds

Cloud classification summary

(Section 2.1.4)

The various cloud classifications are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2. Cloud classifications

Genera	Species	Varieties	Supplementary features	Accessory clouds	Mother-clouds and special clouds (most commonly occurring mother-clouds are listed in the same order as genera)
Genera	(listed by frequency of observation)				Genitus	Mutatus
Cirrus	fibratus uncinus spissatus castellanus floccus	intortus radiatus vertebratus duplicatus	mamma fluctus		Cirrocumulus Altocumulus Cumulonimbus Homo	Cirrostratus Homo
Cirrocumulus	stratiformis lenticularis castellanus floccus	undulatus lacunosus	virga mamma cavum		-	Cirrus Cirrostratus Altocumulus Homo
Cirrostratus	fibratus nebulosus	duplicatus undulatus	-		Cirrocumulus Cumulonimbus	Cirrus Cirrocumulus Altostratus Homo
Altocumulus	stratiformis lenticularis castellanus floccus volutus	translucidus perlucidus opacus duplicatus undulatus radiatus lacunosus	virga mamma cavum fluctus asperitas		Cumulus Cumulonimbus	Cirrocumulus Altostratus Nimbostratus Stratocumulus
Altostratus	-	translucidus opacus duplicatus undulatus radiatus	virga praecipitatio mamma	pannus	Altocumulus Cumulonimbus	Cirrostratus Nimbostratus
Nimbostratus	-	-	praecipitatio virga	pannus	Cumulus Cumulonimbus	Altocumulus Altostratus Stratocumulus
Stratocumulus	stratiformis lenticularis castellanus floccus volutus	translucidus perlucidus opacus duplicatus undulatus radiatus lacunosus	virga mamma praecipitatio fluctus asperitas cavum		Altostratus Nimbostratus Cumulus Cumulonimbus	Altocumulus Nimbostratus Stratus
Stratus	nebulosus fractus	opacus translucidus undulatus	praecipitatio fluctus		Nimbostratus Cumulus Cumulonimbus Homo Silva Cataracta	Stratocumulus
Cumulus	humilis mediocris congestus fractus	radiatus	virga praecipitatio arcus fluctus tuba	pileus velum pannus	Altocumulus Stratocumulus Flamma Homo Cataracta	Stratocumulus Stratus
Cumulonimbus	calvus capillatus	-	praecipitatio virga incus mamma arcus murus cauda tuba	pannus pileus velum flumen	Altocumulus Altostratus Nimbostratus Stratocumulus Cumulus Flamma Homo	Cumulus

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The text enclosed in grey-shaded boxes, like this example, comprises Annex I to the Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49) and has the legal status of standard practices and procedures.

Cloud classification summary

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