Explanation:

The different types of cloud are given Latin names which are all combinations of the following words.

1.            Cirrus means looking like a feather, it is used to describe the very high clouds.

2.            Cumulus means looking like a heap. It is used to describe clouds which have flat bases and rounded tops. There are patches of blue sky between the clouds.

3.            Stratus means lying in level sheets. It is used for layer-type clouds.

4.            Nimbus means rain cloud.

5.            Alto means high.

High clouds

• These clouds are 6000 to 12000 m above sea level.
• Cirrus: These are composed of small ice crystals; white, wispy, fibrous or feather-like in appearance; in bands or patches.
• Cirrocumulus: These are also composed of ice crystals but they are globular or mrippled (like ripples in the sand on a sea shore) in appearance; forming a thin cloud.
• Cirrostratus: Looks like a thin white almost transparent sheet which causes the sun and moon to have ‘halos’.

Middle clouds

• Altocumulus: These are composed of water droplets in layers or patches, globular or bumpylooking with flattened bases arranged in lines or waves.
• Altostratus: Composed of water droplets; forming sheets of grey or watery-looking clouds, partly or totally covering the sky.

Low clouds

• Stratocumulus: Large globular masses; bumpy looking; soft and grey in appearance forming a pronounced regular and sometimes wavy pattern.
• Nimbostratus: Dark grey and rainy-looking dense and shapeless; often give continuous rain.
•  Stratus: These clouds are low, grey and layered, almost fog-like in appearance; bring dull weather and often accompanied by drizzle.Clouds of great vertical extent
• Cumulus: Rounds-topped and flat- based forming a whitish-grey globular mass; consists of individual cloud units.

Cumulonimbus: This is a specialtype of cumulous cloud of great vertical extent; white or black globular masses whose rounded tops often spread out in the form of an anvil; summits rise like towers and mountains; often indicate convectional rain, lightning and thunder