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February 25, 2023  |  By Matt Hamas

Cumulus Clouds Myrtle Beach

Cumulus Clouds Myrtle Beach Live

National Weather Service

Clouds are described in three categories: cumuloform, stratoform, or cirroform.

This month our gallery theme is “Clouds”. We will be exploring the different types of clouds that blanket earth. A man named Luke Howard was the first to publish a classification system for cloud types. He published this cloud classification system back in 1802! We still use this terminology today. His system breaks down the identification process into two steps. First, identify the shape and second, identify the height (in the atmosphere). The shape of the cloud can fall into three categories. These are described as cumuloform, stratoform, or cirroform. The height of the cloud can fall into three categories. These categories are simply low, middle, and high. In Luke Howard’s cloud classification, there are ten possible cloud names that are based on these criteria. 

Calm before the Storm

Cumuloform clouds look like cotton. These are the puffy clouds that are depicted in most cartoon shows. This photo showcases cumulus clouds during a storm off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The lightning backlit the cumulous clouds for this photo. Stratoform clouds are characterized by a blanket of gray featureless cloud cover. These generally do not make for the best photography. The third cloud shape is cirroform, which are described as “wispy” or “hairy”. These are generally high-altitude clouds.

When we talk about the height of clouds being low, middle, or high, this is within the part of the atmosphere known as the troposphere. The troposphere extends all the way to about seven miles (~36,000 feet) above the surface of earth. Beyond this height, it then becomes known as the stratosphere.

Salt Marsh Storm
Flash of Lightning

I enjoy shooting photos of clouds and lightning because each experience is visually unique. No two photos are the same. This type of photography is all about putting yourself in the best vantage point. Most of the time, it is near impossible to anticipate lightning flashes so you end up shooting lots of photos. This night was an exception. I recall this storm rolling in quick. In fact, you can see the patch of blue sky in the top right of the photo.  I was fortunate to have many chances to get lightning strike photos that evening. The clouds were flickering like a strobe light as you can see here on this video.

I enjoy shooting photos of clouds and lightning because each experience is visually unique.

Video includes flashing lights

Did you know?

  • Operation Popeye was a classified project during the Vietnam War in which the United States Army “cloud seeded” areas to extend the monsoon season. This created longer rainy conditions that softened roads and disrupted Viet Cong movements. Shortly after this project, the United Nations banned weather weaponization. 
  • The clouds you see at the beginning of The Simpsons are cumulous clouds.
  • “Nephrology” is the study of clouds!
Kahoolawe Storm
This Month's Gallery
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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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