Clouds are masses of water droplets or ice crystals that 'float' in the sky. Water moisture in the air constantly rise until they reach a temperature where the air cannot hold any more water moisture. This moisture condenses around dust particles in the air and produce minute droplets of water. These tiny droplets form clouds. There are many types of clouds. Clouds are named according to their shape and their height above ground. This type of classification was devised by Luke Howard an English scientist in 1803. Latin words are used to name it. Basically, there are two main types of clouds, that is cumuliform which generally means heap and stratiform, layer. To further classify clouds, height is used. cirrus, cirro- high level clouds above 5 000 m alto- middle level clouds above 2 000 m no prefix low level clouds below 2 000 m To even further classify clouds, shapes and resemblances are used. humilis humble, small mediocris average, medium sized congestus swollen, developing undulatus undulating, wave-like castellanus bearing turrets that resemble battlements lenticularis lens-like uncinus hooked fibratus fibrous nebulosis fine Here are a few major types of clouds which should be quite easy to find and identify. Altocumulus Altocumulus clouds often occur when a large air mass is lifted to middle levels by a landmass or an incoming frontal system. Condensation then occurs over a wide area. Altocumulus often occur together with altostratus clouds. This cloud can also bring light rain and can also indicate that a front is approaching. Altostratus This type of cloud may be found worldwide. Altostratus clouds are created when a large mass of air rises and then condenses. Cirrus Cirrus clouds are formed when air masses at the upper levels of the troposphere saturate. Cirrus clouds consists mainly of ice rather than water droplets. In Latin, cirrus means wisp of hair. Cumulus The word cumulus, in Latin, means heap. These clouds are produced as a result of rising warm air. Cumulus clouds can develop into cumulonimbus, rain clouds, if convection is strong and long enough. Types of cumulus clouds include cumulus humilis, cumulus mediocris and cumulus congestus. These cumulus clouds are almost the same except for their size and proportions. Cumulonimbus Sometimes cumulus clouds develop into rainclouds. They are then called cumulonimbus. These clouds can be very large and enormous. Stratocumulus Stratocumulus clouds are easy to find. It often occurs in the lower levels of the atmosphere. These clouds are a bit lumpy and ragged compared to stratus clouds. Contrail Contrails do exist naturally. They occur when aircraft engines emit water droplets from their exhausts. When these aircraft fly through the upper levels of the troposphere, these droplets immediately freeze to form a 'cloud' because temperatures there are below the freezing point. You should only use this as a guide as in reality, clouds are dynamic, ever changing things.