Kaj The Cloud Guy's top 10

Stratus is Latin for "Layer" and these clouds are low and gray. They are most common in the cooler season and have significant impacts on temperatures both day and night. Stratus clouds are in the lowest 10,000 ft of our atmosphere and resemble a gray blanket. On a cold winter day, these can potentially create flurries, too!

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to Stratus clouds, with the key difference being occasional breaks in the clouds, giving almost a honeycomb or tesselation appearance. These are generally at the same level as Stratus clouds.

Cumulonimbus is the king of all clouds. One of the tallest and deepest, it's generally an indication of a building or ongoing thunderstorm with the presence of heavy rainfall. Cumulonimbus clouds can carry hailstones in powerful updrafts, create torrential downpours and generate severe weather, such as tornadoes. The tops of a Cumulonimbus cloud can extent upwards of 60,000 ft!

Cumulus clouds are the most common type of cloud and when you think of clouds in our sky, you often think of these. Latin for "heap" or "pile", Cumulus clouds resemble cotton balls, have flat bottoms and often occur in the afternoon hours. When Cumulus clouds form, temperatures are typically within about five degrees of the daytime high. These clouds are an indicator of fair weather conditions and do not indicate precipitation.

Nimbus clouds are very similar to Stratus clouds, with the exception of precipitation. Nimbus is Latin for "Cloud" and are rain and/or snow producing clouds. These are almost always in the lowest 5,000 ft of the atmosphere, though early in their lifecycle, the bases of the clouds may be higher until precipitation pulls the base down.

Think of Altostratus clouds simply as higher level Stratus clouds with similar characteristics. These are higher up and still have a gray, blanket appearance. These are also thinner than Stratus clouds and occasionally the sun (or full moon) can be visible through them. A thin layer of Altostratus can be compared to tracing paper.

Much like Cumulus clouds are the most common cloud type, Altocumulus is the most common mid-level type of cloud. Rather than forming a cotton ball appearance, these clouds resemble rounded plates, rolls or other masses. If the clouds form into repeated cloud rolls or rows, these are known as "cloud streets".

Cirrostratus clouds are generally the same as Cirrus clouds, though these are rather widespread in the sky and in a layer. Cirrostratus clouds are widespread enough to give the sky a milky white look and will also scattered sunlight beautifully during sunrise and sunset. This type of cloud can also create a sun halo. You can learn more about sun halos in the "Cool Stuff" section.

Another type of high cloud, though with more of a patchy look to them versus a layer. These are still predominantly made of ice crystals and may sometimes come from a degrading cirrus cloud or other type of cloud. These are not an indicator of precipitation.

Cirrus clouds are the highest clouds and the word Cirrus is Latin for "Lock of Hair". These thin and wispy clouds are made entirely of ice (even on the hottest of summer days) and are way up there - generally at or above 20,000 ft. That's at least 4 miles high! While scattered Cirrus clouds usually do not indicate anything notable, a large area of Cirrus clouds may indicate a change in weather coming soon.