Cloud Types - Tropospheric Class: Families, Genera, Species, Varieties, and Supplementary Features - Low Stratocumuliform, Stratiform, and Cumuliform - Genus Cumulus (little Vertical Extent)

Genus Cumulus (little Vertical Extent)

Abbreviation Cu

These are fair weather cumuliform clouds of limited convection that do not grow vertically. The vertical height from base to top is generally less than the width of the cloud base. They appear similar to stratocumulus but the elements are generally more detached and less wide at the base.

WMO species

Cumulus fractus
Ragged shreds of cumulus clouds.
Cumulus humilis
"Fair weather clouds" with flat light grey bases and small white domed tops.

WMO varieties; opacity-based:

None (always opaque except species fractus which is always translucent).

WMO variety; humilis pattern-based:

Cumulus radiatus
Cumulus clouds arranged in parallel lines that appear to converge at the horizon.

WMO supplementary features:

Not commonly seen with cumulus fractus or humilis.

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