Weather Tidbits: Mid-Level Cloud Types

This edition of Weather Tidbits will be discussing clouds in the mid-levels of the troposphere. The troposphere is the lowest part of the atmosphere and is generally around 30,000 to 40,000 feet in height, right below the stratosphere. Mid-level clouds are clouds that develop between 6,500 and 20,000 feet. These clouds may contain ice crystals unlike low level clouds. The two types of mid level clouds are altostratus and altocumulus clouds. Altostratus clouds have a flat uniform texture. Precipitation is unlikely with these clouds, but not impossible. They may usually develop ahead of a warm front. Altocumulus clouds develop with pockets of enhanced lift in the mid-levels. They have a bit more verticality to their appearance. These clouds may develop with elevated instability, as opposed to surface-based instability. Surface instability would be associated with regular cumulus clouds in the lowest levels of the troposphere.