Clouds
LOW CLOUDS
Strata
They are formed in layers and appear as relatively large moist air masses rise smoothly in a stable atmosphere to a level where condensation generally occurs.
The strata are observed worldwide, especially near the coast and the mountains to an altitude of 2000m.
stratocumulus
Bank, sheet or layer of gray or whitish clouds, often with dark portions, constituted by masses mosaic, massas globular, rolls, etc., aspect of nonfibrous, connected or not.
accumulation
Layer gray cloudy, often dark, whose appearance becomes diffuse by more or less continuously falling rain or snow, which in most cases reaches the ground.
Cumulonimbos
MEDIUM-SIZED CLOUDS
Altostratos
Sheet or layer of grayish or bluish striated appearance of clouds, fibrous or even, covering totally or partially the sky and has sufficiently weak portions to see if the sun, at least vaguely, as through ground glass.
altocumulus
Bank, sheet or layer of white or gray clouds, usually with own shadows, consisting of blades, massas globular, rolls, etc. aspect sometimes partially fibrous or diffuse, connected or not
Nimbostratos
HIGH CLOUDS
cirrus
Clouds isolated as white and delicate filaments, or banks or narrow strips, white or almost white. These clouds have a fibrous appearance (as hair),or silky shine, or dois.Estas clouds are formed between 5 and 11 Km altitude and consist entirely of ice crystals. When they appear in spectacular fashion sky they are often a harbinger of a storm or a warm front approaching. When a mass of warm air rises abruptly at high altitude, above the cold air, it contained the water vapor will
condensing-se, freezing instantly. The windings of the clouds and the hook forms are fine tracks of ice crystals which fall slowly. These clouds such as Cirrostratus and Cirrocumulus form when the air reaches its saturation point at a temperature below -40 ° C and immediately freezes. After freezing these clouds tend to grow and can have a long term.
Cirrostratos
transparent and whitish hazy veil, of fibrous (like hair) straight or, covering all or part the sky. The Cirrostratus are clouds of ice crystals, formed between 5 e 11 Km. Often follow the cirrus in the approach of a warm front, but it is difficult to distinguish them from the mist or fog. Yet, unlike the mist, which consists of water droplets, tiny ice crystals which the veil is composed Cirrostratus refract light, producing the characteristic halos round the Sun and Moon.
Cirrocúmulos
Bank, sheet or thin layer of white clouds, without own shadows, composed of very small elements in the form of grains, wrinkles, etc., connected or not, and arranged more or less regularly. The Cirrocumulus the “mackerel sky” are formed between the skies 5 e 11 Km. They are composed of ice crystals and develop a regular setting in bands and small white tufts queues. Generally, preceding a storm or a warm front approaching, announcing the unstable time of arrival.