Write short notes on cirrus clouds, nimbostratus clouds, altostratus clouds, and cumulonimbus clouds.

What your notes should include

For “short notes” on cloud types, include three things for each: typical height (high, middle, low), appearance (wispy, layered, towering), and the weather it usually brings.

Cirrus clouds (high-level)

• Height: High clouds, usually above about $6\text{ km}$.
• Appearance: Thin, feathery, hair-like streaks.
• Composition: Mostly ice crystals because the air is very cold at that altitude.
• Weather sign: Often appear ahead of a warm front and can mean weather may change within the next day or so.

Nimbostratus clouds (rain and snow makers)

• Height: Low to middle levels, but often form a deep, thick layer.
• Appearance: Dark gray, widespread sheet that can block the Sun completely.
• Weather: Bring continuous, steady precipitation (rain or snow) over a large area, not short bursts.

Altostratus clouds (mid-level sheets)

• Height: Middle clouds, roughly $2\text{ km}$ to $7\text{ km}$.
• Appearance: Gray or blue-gray layer covering much of the sky, the Sun may look like a “watery disk” through it.
• Weather: Often come before long-lasting rain or snow; may produce light precipitation or none at all.

Cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorm clouds)

• Height: Strong vertical development, with bases often low but tops reaching high levels.
• Appearance: Large towering clouds, often with a flat anvil-shaped top.
• Weather: Produce thunderstorms with heavy showers, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail or tornadoes.

Quick comparison (one-line memory aid)

• Cirrus: high and wispy, often a weather-change hint.
• Altostratus: mid-level gray sheet, Sun looks blurred.
• Nimbostratus: thick dark layer, steady rain or snow.
• Cumulonimbus: tall storm tower, thunder and heavy rain.