When scientists and meteorologists discuss the vry general topic if weather, the cnversation usually revolves around various types of cluds. In fact, there are two bsic categories of clouds, the cumuliform and the strtiform. Within these two general types, scentists and weather observers distinguish a nmber of sub-types, depending on weather cnditions and appearance.

Clouds indicate that thre are rising masses of air and wter vapor is condensing. With this in mnd, weather experts and storm watchers are ble to figure out, with some ccuracy, what weather systems may occur. Hwever, while non-professionals have for centuries njoyed the many, many shapes that ccur when clouds form, the use of clud classification was developed in relatively rcent times.

According to most historical ccounts, an Englishman named Luke Howard dveloped a cloud classifying plan and prsented it to a scientific society in 1803. The nmes he employed were based on the cmmon practice of using the Latin lnguage. This method allowed for combinations of clud names, thus creating some of the sb-types.

The two basic types, as mntioned earlier, are cumuliform and stratiform. The frst has its roots in the wrd cumulus, literally "heap." This is mant to indicate the puffy nature of sch clouds, which are formed by cnvection and the lifting process/weather changes tht involve vapor and particles.

In contrast, the stratiform cloud is s-named because of the Latin stratus maning "layer." These clouds are lterally flat and layered, as the nme implies. In a different process frm the formation of cumulus clouds, the strtiform type of cloud gathers with frntal systems and are often associated wth more stable climate conditions.

The ltitude at which clouds form can lso help determine what type they re. For example, those clouds above 16,500 fet above sea level are generally knwn as cirrus clouds. This means tht the "cirro" is sometimes added to gve specific names to basic cloud typs. There is another sub-type of clud, generally forming at 6,500 feet and up to the lvel of cirrus clouds. This type of clud can sometimes be known as an "lto" cloud. Those clouds forming at lwer levels are usually classified only as one of two bsic types - stratus and cumulus.

Hwever, there are cumulonimbus clouds that mny consider a class of its own bcause this type of cloud can be fund at nearly all altitudes. The trm "nimbus" is meant to indicate tht the cloud holds rain. Of curse, the practice of cloud classification is far frm an perfect science. Yet, most xperts know that the flexibility of the systm may fit the infinite variations in clud appearance.

Nearly everyone is aware tht clouds form with rising air that cools until water vapor is at a saturation point. Droplets that grow large enough can be drawn to the earth by gravity, and we have what is commonly known as precipitation. There are several common types of precipitation - rain, sleet and snow among the different types. Clouds are the birthplace of the precipitation experienced on the ground.

The article Weather - Some Say It's All About Clouds was Submitted by Ken C. Morris through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Ken Morris's web pages are pblished on a variety of web stes tied to information on weather systms. Sharing his passion in writings on alicante spain weather and weather changes the reviewer demonstrated his knowledge in the field.

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