Global Bioweather

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Midlevel Clouds

Clouds with their bases in between 6500 to 16500 feet ( 2000 to 5000m) bear the prefix alto (middle).

Altostratus and altocumulus are clouds which consist of a mixture of water droplets and ice crystals. While they are the only cloud types classified for this level, the top of nimbostratus extends well into this layer, and the giant cumulonimbus occupies all three levels. In the tropics, the bases of cumulus and stratocumulus may also have their origin above 6500 feet. They remain, nevertheless, classified as low-level clouds.

Altocumulus bears a resemblance to stratocumulus, but has its base at the midlevel.

Altostratus also looks like its low-level counterpart, stratus.

Altocumulus lenticularis, the lens-shaped cloud associated with the Foehn wind.

Altocumulus mammatus, a sign of strong turbulence at this altitude