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Genera Terms

Alto means middle.

Cirro, from which cirrus is obtained means "wisp of hair."

Cumulo, from which cumulus is obtained means "heap." Clouds with this designator appear to be piled up. These type clouds form in unstable layers of air. The initial lifting may be due to convective lifting or forced (mechanical) lifting, such as; orographic, frontal or convergence lifting. If the layer is unstable, the air parcel will continue to rise producing a cumulo-form cloud.

Nimbo: This designation means "rain." Thus, nimbostratus and cumulonimbus are clouds from which precipitation occurs.

Strato, from which stratus is obtained means "layer" or "layered." Clouds with this designator form in stable layers of air; except the stratocumulus type which forms in a thin, unstable layer of air.