How to Identify Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus clouds billow through the imaginations of young and old alike, turning into images of animals, castles, people and more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Polaroid Cameras
• SLR Camera
• Binoculars Cases
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Bags
• Camera Tripod
• Digital Cameras
• Film
• Telescope Camera Adapters
• Telescope Tripods
• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Binoculars Straps

The Shape of Cumulus Clouds

1. Watch for clouds with an obvious puffy shape, billowing into forms resembling cotton balls or mounds of whipped cream.
2. Look for cumulus clouds at any altitude.
3. Watch out for thunderstorms when cumulus clouds begin to build in mounds rising higher and higher.

Variations of Cumulus Clouds

4. Look above 18,000 feet for cirrocumulus clouds, which most often resemble long rows of puffs.
5. Watch between 6,500 and 18,000 for altocumulus clouds, which can appear partly white and partly gray.
6. Classify puffy clouds under 6,500 feet as stratocumulus.
7. Watch closely as cumulus clouds begin to increase in size vertically. A weather change may be imminent.
8. Look out when cumulus clouds change to cumulonimbus clouds, readily identifiable when the tops begin to shear off because of high winds. Cumulonimbus clouds may quickly evolve into thunderstorms.

Tips & Warnings

• Cumulus clouds on the horizon at sunrise or sunset can be wonderfully colorful and good subjects for photographic studies.
• Cumulus clouds form when air warms and rises. As it rises, it cools, the water vapor carried aloft begins to condense, and fluffy cumulus clouds begin to form.
• For a detailed explanation for making a visual estimate of where these altitudes are in the sky, see the Related Site, "Measuring Angles and Distances." For 18,000 feet, try to visualize 60 American football fields all in a row.
• Weather watching is fun, but quickly seek shelter when there's a severe thunderstorm with heavy lightning.