Version Française.
Introduction.
This is a map that a take on "Météo-France" at this address:
http://www.meteo.fr/.../alt.htm
It gives a good idea of the altitude of the different type of clouds.
Stratus.
It is a clouds located close to the ground (at the bottom of the photograph), that gives fog the most time.
Stratocumulus.
A classical example of Stratocumulus, below some Altostratus.
Altitude is often around 1000~1500m.
I saw on internet some stratocumulus at easily 4000m. So, it is not stratocumulus, but alto-cumulus!
Another one.
Stratocumulus + Altostratus et/ou Altocumulus.
Stratocumulus are seldom alone. Most often, there is of Altostratus or Altocumulus on top.
Stratocumulus + Nimbostratus.
The nimbostratus is a lot of times accompagnied with stratocumulus.
This is a classical weather when it rain.
Nimbostratus.
Thick clouds, with a base around 1000m~2000m, and a summit which can be at 4000~6000m.
If the summit is higher, this is a cumulonimbus.
Altostratus.
It is a rather thick veil, that not generate rain. His thick can be between 100m to 1000m.
Beyond, it is rather a nimbostratus.
Her altitude is around 3000~4000m.
Altocumulus + Altostratus.
Often, altocumulus and altostratus is blended together...
Small nice clouds, often with this form here!
Her altitude is around 4000~5000m
Sometimes, the altocumulus and altostratus arrive just like that, with a cold or hot front.
Altocumulus.
This is a classical case of altocumulus.
An altocumulus lenticulaire, this is rare!
Cirrostratus.
It is a fine veil located between about 6000 and 7000m.
The sun passes practically always across.
Cirrocumulus.
Pretty clouds located high in altitude between 6000 and 7000m.
Cirrus.
Nice one clouds, a bit rare, located between 7000 and 9000m.
Cumulus.
The cumulus appear after a cold front, or when instability appear.
They can be small like here.
Or they can be bigger and tight like here.
Cumulonimbus.
The best is to go to this other page:
Orages_en.php
A cumulus become a Cumulonimbus when the rain start.
Usually, the top of clouds is above 6000~8000m in summer or above 4000~6000m in winter.
This is a Cumulonimbus Capilatus.
Links.
This is other interesting site:
Created : 18 january 2008.
Last update : 23 april 2008.