- High-level clouds form between 6,000-11,000 metres (10,000-33,000 feet) above sea level. These include cirrus, cirrocumulus and cirrostratus clouds.
- Mid-level clouds form between about 3,000-6,000 metres (10,000-20,000 feet) above sea level. These have the word 'alto' in their name, so they are called altostratus or altocumulus.
- Low-level clouds form up to a height of about 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level. They include stratus clouds and cumulus clouds. Clouds which combine both types are called stratocumulus clouds.
Cold fronts occur when cold air arrives to meet warm air. They bring in the 'bubbly' clouds - cumulus, altocumulus and cumulonimbus. They often bring showers, and sometimes heavy rain and thunderstorms. Warm fronts occur when warm air arrives to meet cold air. They bring the flattish clouds - the various types of stratus, and cirrus.
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Cloud types
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