Learn the 10 cloud types, how weather forms, and reading weather forecasts
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It includes temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and cloud cover. Understanding weather helps us plan our daily activities, stay safe during storms, and appreciate how Earth's atmosphere works.
Clouds form when water vapor in the air condenses around tiny particles of dust or pollen. There are ten main types of clouds, grouped into three altitude categories. High clouds like cirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulus form above 20,000 feet and are made of ice crystals. Middle clouds like altostratus and altocumulus appear between 6,500 and 20,000 feet. Low clouds like stratus, stratocumulus, and nimbostratus sit below 6,500 feet. Two cloud types, cumulonimbus and cumulus, can span multiple altitudes.
Different cloud types tell us what kind of weather to expect. Fluffy cumulus clouds on a sunny day usually mean fair weather. Dark nimbostratus clouds bring steady rain or snow. Towering cumulonimbus clouds signal thunderstorms, and sometimes produce lightning, heavy rain, hail, or even tornadoes. Thin wispy cirrus clouds high in the sky often mean a weather change is coming in the next day or two.
In this interactive tool, you can explore all ten cloud types, learn what weather each type brings, and test your knowledge with a fun quiz. Understanding clouds is an important part of Earth science for students in grades 3 through 6, and it connects to lessons about the water cycle, atmosphere, and climate.
Click on each cloud type card to see its name, altitude, appearance, and what weather it brings. Then try the Weather Quiz to test what you have learned. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like to improve your score.
Last reviewed: April 2026