Term Used | Latin Root | Meaning | Description | Applies to |
Castellanus | Castellum | A castle | Clouds that show vertical development and produce tower-like extensions, often in the shape of small castles. | Ac |
Congestus | Congerere | To bring together, to pile up | Cumulus clouds of great vertical extent that from a distance may appear as a head of cauliflower; referred to as towering cumulus(TCU). | Cu |
Fractus | Frangere | To break or fracture | Clouds that have a ragged, torn appearance. | St, Cu |
Humilis | Humillis | Of small size | Cumulus clouds with generally flattened bases and only slight vertical growth; "fair" weather clouds. | Cu |
Lenticular | Lenticula | Lens like | Clouds having the shape of a lens; often elongated and well defined outlines; a sign of atmospheric turbulence. | Cc,Ac,Sc |
Mammatus | Mamma | Mammary | Bag-like clouds that hang like a cow's udder on the underside of a cloud; usaually indicates instability and turbulence. | Ci,Ac,As,Sc,Cb |
Pileus | Pileus | A cap | A cloud in the form of a cap or hood above or attached to the upper part of a cumuliform cloud; particularly present during formation stage. | Cu, TCU,Cb |
Translucidus | Translucere | To shine through, transparent | Clouds that cover a large part of the sky and are sufficiently translucent to reveal the position of the sun and the moon. | |
Undulatus | Unda | Having waves | Clouds in patches, sheets or layers showing undulations. |
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